Lycoming County commissioners approved a $287,379 state grant to fund a gas pipeline extension to the Timber Run Industrial Park at their meeting this week.

Digger Specialties, Inc. is set to open a facility for employing up to 150 people at the site along Route 15 across from the county landfill.

Lycoming County Planning and Community Development Executive Director Shannon Rossman said the grant will fund a portion of the project.

She noted that additional infrastructure work will include road work for access to the site.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the grant for the project in April.

In other action, commissioners approved McTish, Kunkel & Associates for inspection work at a cost of $76,734 for the first phase of the county bridge bundling construction project.

The project calls for a total of 17 structurally deficient bridges to undergo repairs.

Commissioners approved Smith Excavating & Construction LLC for right-of-way access work to the Shriver’s Ridge Tower site at a cost of $29,600.

A three-year agreement with Schuylkill Mobile Fone for pagers was approved by commissioners. The cost is $10 per pager per month.

Commissioners approved a proclamation acknowledging this week as Institutional Parole and Corrections Employee Week.

In personnel matters, commissioners approved the following personnel to fill vacancies:

• Lauren M. Abriola, administrative specialist, Prison, $15.37 per hour.

• Jennifer Black-Jarrett, resident supervisor, Pre-Release Center, $17.43 per hour.

• Andrew W. Hunsinger, resident supervisor, Pre-Release Center, $15.37 per hour.

• Amy Breen, clerk, District Judge Aaron Biichle, $14.09 per hour.

• Deanna Cowles, part-time clerk, Prothonotary, $13.09 per hour.

• Kristina M. McKee, clerk, Voter Services, $14.09 per hour.

Commissioner Scott Metzger noted that many people in the county are still unsure about being vaccinated for COVID-19.

Part of the reason, he said, may stem from the mixed messages that circulate about social distancing and masks.

People want to see an end, he said, to the pandemic.

Commissioner Rick Mirabito said the goal remains to vaccinate more people.

The Let’s End COVID group remains active, he said, with the goal of educating people about coronavirus and the need for vaccinations.

The commissioners have not acted on a request to contribute $50,000 from the county to the organization toward those efforts.