Schuylkill County commissioners on a split vote Wednesday extended the contract of a grant procurement firm run by two former state representatives.

Commissioners’ Chairman Barron L. Hetherington and Commissioner Gary J. Hess voted in favor of continuing the contract. Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. was opposed.

County Administrator Gary Bender had asked them to extend the contract with Allen-Goodman & Associates Ltd., Pottsville, for six months from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31, 2023.

Commissioners, with Halcovage opposing, had hired the consulting firm, which is owned by former state Reps. Robert Allen and Neal P. Goodman, in January 2021 for $5,000 a month for one year to obtain grants for expensive projects.

On Feb. 2, they extended the contract for six months, until July 31.

No information has ever been released about any money the firm may have brought to the county.

Allen, a Republican, represented the 125th legislative district from 1989 through 2006. Goodman, a Democrat, represented the 123rd legislative district from 2003 through 2020.