Carbon County has opened two new accounts to track millions of dollars it is receiving through COVID-19 relief funds and the sale of the railroad.

On Thursday, the board approved opening new accounts with Mauch Chunk Trust Company for the COVID-19 American Recovery Plan funds, as well as economic development from the funds of the railroad sale.

Treasurer Ron Sheehan explained that Carbon County will receive a total of $12.2 million from the federal government’s $350 billion it was sending out to states through the recovery program. The county will receive it in two installments and must spend it by Dec. 31, 2024.

Sheehan said that the account will allow the county to better track the money as it is used.

No definitive plans for the funds have been announced.

With regards to the second account, the money from the sale must be used for economic development so this account will also allow the county to better track how the money is used.

The commissioners said they have no plans for the money yet, but still need to speak with Lansford regarding the funds they will be receiving through the sale and how those funds can be used.