Carbon County will spend nearly $600,000 in various funds to complete two major projects at county-owned locations.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners awarded contracts for the HVAC system upgrade at the animal shelter and to renovate the bathrooms at Mauch Chunk Lake Park boat launch B, as well as pave the parking area.

The bids were opened two weeks ago.

Shannon A. Smith Inc. of Myerstown was the successful bidder for the HVAC project. The bid was for $202,000.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that the funds will come from the American Rescue Plan money that the county received.

On the Mauch Chunk Lake project, Lehigh Asphalt Paving and Construction Inc. of Tamaqua was awarded the contract at a bid of $383,547.25.

Lukasevich said the county will use parking funds, which are generated by anyone using the county-owned parking lots. Last year, the parking generated approximately $1 million, which is used to help with projects for the county parks, as well as maintenance for parking lots and the Jim Thorpe Train Station.

The county also received approximately $155,000 toward the project through a state grant.