JACKSON — The Northampton Memorial Library project is moving ahead as planned as a bid has been selected by the Northampton County Board of Commissioners.

On Monday, the board was presented with a decision paper by County Manager Wayne Jenkins.

According to the information provided by Jenkins, sealed proposals for the renovation and addition, which will add 2,596 square feet to the current library, were received and opened on December 29.

A total of nine bids were received for the project, with A.R. Chessen Construction Company, Inc. of Williamston submitting the lowest bid of $431,753.

In addition to the supplementary square footage, 18 new parking spaces will be added to the property and the building will have energy efficient features. Renovations will also help the existing facility meet requirements set by the American with Disabilities Act. The purchase of 18 new computers with accessories will also be a part of the project.

The renovations and additions were initially estimated to cost $541,902 and the project has been wholly funded by grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation, which awarded a grant of $433,902, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development with a grant of $108,000. The latter grant carries a two-year time limit while the Golden LEAF grant has a 12-month time frame from June 8, 2010.

Commissioner Chester Deloatch made a motion to approve the bid award to A.R. Chessen Construction Company; it was seconded by Commission Vice Chair James Hester. The motion was approved with no objections.