KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Sevier County officials have announced they will be requesting reimbursement for helping keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open during the 43-day government shutdown.

The shutdown ended on Nov. 12. Since Oct. 4, Sevier County, and other local and state partners worked together to help fund park operations and keep it open while during the shutdown.

“I want to express my gratitude to the leaders in Washington, D.C., for reaching an agreement that ends the federal government shutdown and allows Great Smoky Mountains National Park to fully reopen,” Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said in a statement. “I am grateful for the strong cooperation between local, state and federal leaders that made the agreement to fund the national park possible. Their leader

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