The Carbon County commissioners have approved project applications for the 2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the county's entitlement and non-entitlement municipalities.

The CDBG programs provides technical assistance to aid municipalities in community and economic development projects. Federal monies are channeled through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and distributed by each of the counties.To be considered an entitlement community which automatically qualifies for CDBG grants, municipalities must have a population of 4,000, with at least 51 percent of the residents being classified as low-to-moderate income.Non-entitlement communities must compete for the annual funding. These municipalities do not have to have a specific population but their proposed projects must meet the same guidelines as the entitlement communities.Carbon County's entitlement communities are Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Franklin Township, Lansford, and Palmerton.• Jim Thorpe is expected to receive $97,999. Of that amount $80,359 will be used to make water system improvements on the North Street water line and PennVest loan repayment; $17,640 will go to administration of the grant.• Lehighton is expected to receive a total of $105,323 in funding. A total of $86,365 will be used toward a multi-purpose building loan repayment (former high school). The remaining $18,958 will be used for administration of the grant.• Franklin Township is expected to receive $92,394. They will use $62,675 for street improvements along Cedar and Market streets; $7,008 for the Court Street retaining wall replacement project phase two; and $6,080 for the Phifer Ice Dam Park pond three dredging. The remaining $16,631 will be used for administration of the grant.• Lansford will receive $92,264. Of that, $75,656 will go toward street improvements on East Bertsch Street (from Walnut to Chestnut), Dock Street (from borough line east, approximately 1,000 feet) and repair/paving/ADA handicap improvement. The remaining $16,608 will be used for administration of the grant.• Palmerton is expected to receive $102,436. Of that, $83,998 will go toward water and sewer improvements along Lehigh Avenue. The borough will install a new, larger main with services to each house, replacing the shared service line. The remaining $18,438 will be applied for administration.A total of $252,165 was also approved to four non-entitlement communities in Carbon County. Of that amount, $45,471 will be used for administration.The non-entitlement recipients of 2011 CDBG grants include Beaver Meadows, Bowmanstown, Mahoning Township, and Nesquehoning.The proposed projects include $50,000 to Beaver Meadows for water and sewer improvements for the Depot Street sewer replacement project; $55,000 to Bowmanstown for street improvements along Lime Street and Spring Street; $46,444 to Mahoning Townships for Beaver Street reconstruction (connecting Mauch Chunk Street/Route 209 and Oak Drive); and $55,700 to Nesquehoning for resurfacing Railroad and Center streets.