With tourism continually to increase in Carbon County, and specifically Jim Thorpe, the commissioners are working on a plan to better serve the visitors, while making it safer for everyone.

Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko, on Thursday said that the commissioners and row office holders met to discuss the impacts of the closing of Mauch Chunk Trust Company’s Train Station branch this upcoming December.

Last month, the bank announced it would close that branch after discussions with the county, which owns the train station, to help make room inside the building for projects that would help tourism.

Ideas the county has said include adding more bathrooms inside the facility, but commissioners noted that there has not been a final decision on a plan as of yet.

Sofranko said that the meeting with the row office holders was to discuss how this move would affect county deposits.

He commended county treasurer Kevin Zelienka, for facilitating the meeting and helping come up with solutions.

“I think we got it pretty much solved on how deposits and things like that will be handled,” Sofranko said.

He also commended Mauch Chunk Trust for being receptive to the county’s plans.

“Mauch Chunk Trust Company has really gone above and beyond as to what they have provided to the county,” Sofranko said, noting that there will be no interruption in service with the transition.

As for the future of that space, Sofranko again stressed that the commissioners are still meeting with all the stakeholders, which include Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, Jim Thorpe Borough and Reading and Northern Railroad to name a few.

“What we’re trying to do is improve the public safety for both pedestrian and traffic so we’re working on that,” he said, adding that more information will be released in the coming months.