Carbon County will receive $681,041 in 2014-15 Community Development Block Grants. Commissioners on Thursday approved a contract with the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the funds. The grants are federal money administered by the agency, and the county Office of Planning and Development administers the funds.

Here's how the money will be used: Packer Township will get $40,285 for recreation equipment for the Joe Andreuzzi Community Park. Summit Hill Borough will get $104,830 to reconstruct and repave White Street, from Market Street to Walnut Street, and Oak Street to Pine Street. Lower Towamensing Township will get $50,118 to reconstruct and repave Pine, Lesher and Lower streets. There are also administrative fees for these projects that come from the county's allocation.Franklin Township will get $68,794 to replace an existing culvert on Main Road near the Phifer Ice Dam or to reconstruct and repave State Road. Jim Thorpe will get $60,000 to repay PennVEST for monies borrowed for the North Street water line replacement project done years ago; and $12,179 for ADA handicap corners at selected intersections.Mahoning Township will get $69,075 to reconstruct and repave a portion of Westside Road. Lehighton will get $76,868 to make a loan payment on funds borrowed to establish a multipurpose building, the former junior high school.Palmerton will get $24,911 for installation of new, larger water main services to each house, replacing the shared service line, and $51,396 for ADA handicapped corners at Fifth and Lehigh streets and Sixth and Lehigh streets.Here's another way to look at the breakdown: Recreation, $40,285; water and sewer projects, $71,179; street improvements, $421,960; fire, $24,032; and administration, $122,585.