Feds Reject Offer by Arizona Gov. to Reopen Grand Canyon Using State Funds

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday that federal officials declined her offer to reopen the Grand Canyon using state funds.

"I offered to reopen the Grand Canyon to visitors by using state money, but federal officials declined my offer," Brewer said in a Facebook post. "I really shouldn't be surprised that the Obama Administration doesn't want Arizona's help."

The National Parks Service closed all national parks, including the Grand Canyon, to the public earlier this week, blaming the federal government shutdown.

The Grand Canyon. (Image source: Shutterstock.com)

An NPS official said as long as the government is shut down, the Grand Canyon will remain closed to the public.

"I appreciate the support and I thanked them for the offer, but it's not an offer we can accept," said park superintendent Dave Uberuaga, according to Fox News.

Private businesses, affected by the closure of the iconic park, have also offered to pay for the park to reopen.

Businesses have pledged over $100,000 and a town council committed $200,000 to open one of the viewpoints, according to Fox News.

Those offers were all reportedly rejected.

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