Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has decided to fund the Grand Canyon National Park for an additional nine days while the government continues to be shutdown.
“Grand Canyon’s importance to Arizona’s tourism industry and overall economy cannot be ignored,” said Gov. Brewer in a statement Wednesday. “While I am pleased the state is able to ensure the Canyon remains open during this critical season, it is well past time for the federal government to end this shutdown and pay its bills.”
The agreement Brewer struck last week with the National Park Service to pay to keep the park open was set to expire Friday night. The deal required Brewer to give the park two days notice to remain open.
Related: Tusayan mayor criticizes Park Service for closing Grand Canyon, other parks