Carbon County officials have applied for $250,000 in state funds that will help municipalities fight blight in their communities.

On Thursday, the commissioners ratified the application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for funds for demolition of condemned and abandoned properties in the county. Commissioner Rocky Ahner was absent.

Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko said the money is coming through state Sen. David Argall’s office.

From there, Carbon County plans to set guidelines so municipalities could begin utilizing that money. There has been a major push in recent years in the fight against blight in the region.

Nesquehoning recently tore down a row of homes that had been destroyed by fire several years ago after going through the process to demolish the property due to it being a safety hazard.

In Lehighton, the borough is preparing to take down 135-139 N. First St., a building that has been deteriorating for decades.

Sofranko said that the guidelines would allow municipalities to apply for a certain amount, which hasn’t been decided upon, to be used in a demolition project.

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said that this will money will make it easier for both the county and municipalities moving forward.

This is the second action the commissioners have taken over the last year to help communities fight blight.

The county also recently set up a $15 fee that is charged on deeds recorded that can be used by municipalities on a blighted property.

That action was taken after several municipal representatives, led by former Nesquehoning Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani, approached the commissioners and urged them to add this fee on to deeds so that it could help in the fight against blight.