If the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners have their way, an engineering study will be performed on the Coplay Cement kilns in the near future.

The commissioners discussed the possible study at the July 23 meeting.

According to county General Services Director Rick Molchany, ideally the county should restore all nine of the kilns.

Due to wear and tear over the years, the kilns are in need of repair and restoration, he said.

Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, repairing all the kilns more than likely will not occur.

"My sense is we will not have the money to do all nine," he said.

The engineering study on its own will cost the county $34,750.

Molchany added local cement companies have contributed $30,000 toward the cost of the study.

Commissioner Percy Dougherty said the cement industry should invest more than $30,000 into the study.

Dougherty said area groups will pick up the tab and invest time and money into rehabilitating the kilns.

"Once the engineering study is done and we see what has to be done to stabilize the facility, this will enable local groups in that area to raise funds to accomplish what needs to be done," he said.

Dougherty said he hopes the project can move forward due to the deteriorated nature of the cement kilns and their historical prominence in Coplay and the surrounding area.

"This [Coplay Cement Kilns] is one of the most important historic sites in the county," he said. "The whole Portland cement industry started right there."