Carbon County small businesses looking for help can find it through a low-interest loan program.

On Thursday, the county commissioners voted to move the administration of the Small Business Loan Program to the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.Commissioner William O'Gurek said the program has been in existence since 1984, when the county received $35,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs for a program that would help small businesses expand and create new positions.At the time, Carbon County chipped in $10,000 to the funding.Until recently, the county administered the program through its economic development office, but after privatizing the office and merging it with the Carbon County Chamber, O'Gurek said that it just seemed like it should be administered through the corporation rather than the county.Through the loan program, small businesses whether new or existing that qualify can obtain loans to help pay for a project.Kathy Henderson, director of economic development at CCEDC, said that businesses could receive either 75 percent or 60 percent of the total cost of the project in either five- or seven-year loans.She said the interest rate for the loan is 3 percent."We're happy to administer the program to small businesses in the county," she said.There is currently one loan outstanding, Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, said, adding that it is expected to be paid off in January 2015.Small businesses looking for help with a project can apply by contacting Henderson at 610-379-5000 or emailing

khenderson@carboncountychamber.org.In other matters, Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard announced that work at the new firing range, which will be located just outside the county prison on the Broad Mountain in Nesquehoning, has begun.Currently, trees are being cleared so a 50-foot by 150-foot range could be constructed.He said the cost for the project is expected to be minimal because the county is using in-house workers and volunteers to help complete the work.Gerhard said volunteers are needed and welcome to help with the project, which is expected to be completed within the next three months.Gerhard also announced that the Carbon County Animal Shelter will host a two-day yard sale at the shelter, located on the Broad Mountain next to the prison.The yard sale will takeplace from 9 a.m. to 1:30

p.m.this Saturday and Sunday All proceeds benefit theshelter.The commissioners also voted to reappoint Susan Barradale of Albrightsville to a three-year term and Commissioner William O'Gurek of Summit Hill to a one-year term on the Mental Health/Developmental Services Advisory Board.