Visitors coming in to Jim Thorpe from Mahoning Township will be welcomed by a lovely garden.

In June 2016, commissioners partnered with Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, the borough and some businesses to apply for a Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation grant for the Gateway to Jim Thorpe beautification project.The county also worked with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to apply for the grant.On Thursday, commissioners Thomas J. Gerhard and William J. O'Gurek, with Chairman Wayne E. Nothstein absent, accepted the $2,000 grant.The grant will help offset the estimated $5,000 cost of the project. Commissioners are encouraging people and businesses to donate plants and other needed items.Gerhard said he has a list of needs in his office. People can call him at 570-325-3611 to see what is needed if they want to contribute.The welcome area is along Susquehanna Street, across Route 209 from Turkey Hill.In other matters, commissioners approved the following:• A second change order totaling $4,434 to a contract with Bognet Inc. of Hazle Township for the archives building renovation.The first change order totaled $8,921. The cost of the contract has gone from $615,836 to $629,191.• A contract to Sheehan's Plumbing, Heating and AC, Jim Thorpe, to replace the furnace at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center for $23,500.• Presented a proclamation recognizing Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervisors week to Chief Adult Probation Officer Rick Parsons.