Carbon County officials are hoping to improve the entrance coming into Jim Thorpe from Mahoning Township.

On Thursday, the commissioners approved the submission of a Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation grant application for the Gateway to Jim Thorpe beautification project. The commissioners are partnering with the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp. and a few Jim Thorpe businesses and residents to apply for $2,000 for the project, which will cost an estimated $5,000.Marlyn Kissner, executive director of CCEDC, said that through the partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the county is able to apply for the foundation grant for the project.The application will be submitted by the end of the month.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said that the area that will be spruced up is along Susquehanna Street, right past Turkey Hill on the river side of the street.There is a Welcome to Jim Thorpe sign there, he said, but plant overgrowth has hidden the sign. The county maintenance crews will work to clean up the weeds, trim or remove some of the trees, add mulch and flowers, and eventually, light up the sign in the hopes of creating an inviting entrance for visitors.Commissioner William O'Gurek said the goal is to give visitors a "great first impression" of the tourist town.The partners have been working with area experts such as the Penn State Master Gardeners to help provide input on the flora at the site.