Carbon County is moving forward on major renovations to a former store that will soon become the archives department's new home.

The building, located on Fourth Street on the east side of Jim Thorpe, is the former Dollar & More store, which the county purchased in September 2015 for $95,000.On Thursday, the commissioners opened bids for a general contract, as well as plumbing, HVAC and electrical.Bids for the general contract ranged from $615,836, submitted by Bognet Inc. of Hazleton to $769,000, submitted by L&K Construction Inc. of Pottsville. Other bidders were CMG of Easton Inc. of Easton, who bid $629,000; and Greenland Construction Inc. of Clearfield, $672,074.For the plumbing, the low bid was submitted by Spotts Brothers Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, who bid $31,460. Leibold Inc. of Pottsville submitted the low bid of $112,400 for HVAC. Larry McCullion and Son of Summit Hill submitted the low bid of $33,500 for electrical.All bids were tabled for one week to be reviewed.Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the project calls for completely redoing everything inside the building. The current structure was gutted and is pretty much just a shell at this time.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said that even though the bids seem high, the cost is still less than constructing a new archives building.Once renovations are complete, the department will move all records and equipment to the new building on the east side of Jim Thorpe.The current building, located on Susquehanna Street, is slated to be demolished and replaced by a three-story office building for other county departments.Other businessThe commissioners approved:• The purchase of 25 Jones and Bartlett Hazardous Materials books to comply with the state Fire Academy for hazmat training. The cost is $2,062.50.• The resignation of Matt Belasco from the Local Emergency Planning Committee.• A memorandum of understanding with Premier Biotech to purchase 52 boxes of instant drug testing cups using grant funds that must be expended by June 30. The cost is $9,069.47.• The hiring of David J. Harrison of Nesquehoning as a temporary parking attendant, effective March 28; and Samantha R. McCarthy of Coaldale as a lifeguard, effective May 27.• The district attorney appointment of Robert S. Frycklund of Lehighton as third assistant district attorney, effective March 27.