Visitors entering Jim Thorpe from Route 209 coming down the Mansion House Hill will see a nicely manicured welcome garden.

That's thanks to a $2,000 grant and a lot of hard work by the county maintenance department, a county commissioner and a group of dedicated residents.On Thursday, Marlyn Kissner, executive director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development, presented the county commissioners with a check for $2,000 from the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation."I'm proud to present the $2,000 for the Jim Thorpe gateway project," she said, adding that the project is nearing completion and looks beautiful.Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, chairman; and Thomas J. Gerhard, thanked the chamber and everyone involved for the hard work in making this project a reality.Before the beautification project, the Welcome to Jim Thorpe sign was hidden in trees and the ground was covered in weeds.Gerhard said that seven maple trees and other blighted chestnut trees were cut down to clear the area, the weeds were moved and the soil was enhanced. A pressure-treated fence, lined with river rocks were installed and flowers were donated and planted."It's been a long time coming," he said, thanking the many hands that made this project come to life.Kissner said that the county is hoping to secure a second round of grants and it is currently looking good that it will be successful.