New York ( CNN ) -- The Statue of Liberty reopened Sunday morning thanks to state funding after it had been closed for 12 days as a result of the partial government shutdown . New York Gov . Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature resorted to `` unusual state action '' and agreed to pay the operational costs of the Statue of Liberty until the federal government reopens , citing economic interests in a news conference Sunday . New York state will pay $ 61,600 a day over the next several days from its tourism budget . `` Just on the economics of the matter , it makes obvious sense for us to pay for the costs of operation , which pales in comparison to the amount of money we are now losing , '' Cuomo said . According to a statement from Cuomo , a 2012 annual report from the National Park Service counted 3.7 million visitors to Liberty Island in 2011 , generating nearly $ 200 million in economic activity and supporting more than 2,000 jobs . No deal in sight as shutdown approaches third week . Bill Rudin , chairman of the Battery Conservancy , which operates the 25-acre park and ticketing center for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island , said that 400 jobs have been lost at the Statue of Liberty and surrounding parks since the government shutdown began on October 1 . Rudin estimated that the 10,000 daily visitors each spend $ 35 , adding up to losses in the thousands of dollars during the closure . Bradford A. Hill , president of Evelyn Hill Inc. , a family company that runs the gift shops and restaurants at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island , said that the firm 's sales dropped nearly 70 % this year between damage from Superstorm Sandy and the government shutdown . Evelyn Hill Inc. had to lay off 110 employees , until the state stepped in to help . `` It is heartening to know that when Washington , D.C. , fails to deliver to Americans , and there is no end to the gridlock in sight , we have a state that we can rely on to step up to the plate and take over critical responsibilities , '' Hill said . `` Today , with the leadership of Governor Cuomo , we opened our doors again today and welcomed back our employees . '' Cuomo said the state stepped in not just for economic reasons , but also for symbolic reasons . `` The Statue of Liberty is more than just a tourism destination , more than just a creator of economy , a creator of jobs ; it is probably the most profound symbol for freedom and democracy , certainly in this country , but possibly around the world , '' he said . Tourists were happy to hear the announcement of the reopening and began lining up to visit the New York City landmark . `` We would have been disappointed . We probably would have taken the Staten Island ferry or a Circle Line Cruise to at least go near the island to get a picture , but I 've done that before , and it 's just so much better to be on the island . It 's a really neat experience , '' said Stacy Kratt , who was visiting New York City . Like New York , Arizona and South Dakota struck similar deals to reopen the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore , respectively . All national monuments and parks were closed when Congress failed to approve spending for the fiscal year . More than 20,000 National Park Service employees who maintain and secure the facilities were furloughed . The nation 's 401 National Park Service sites collectively average about 715,000 visitors per day . Utah reopens its national parks . Eatocracy : Food safety hampered by shutdown . CNN 's Bryan Koenig and Leslie Bentz contributed to this report .
The Museum of Liberty reopens after New York state agrees to pay to run it . The museum had been closed as a result of the partial state takeover . About 400 jobs had been lost in the shutdown , ticketing operator says . Minnesota and South Dakota also agreed to pay to keep their museums open .