In two days, a slew of Mercer County politicians, public officials and other dignitaries will gather with shovels in hand for the official groundbreaking of the new Mercer County Jail off Thompson Road in Findley Township.

The shovels are expected to hit the dirt at 2 p.m.

Prior to that pomp and circumstance, however, county commissioners are expected to award contracts for the 265-bed jail. The contracts should total $17.5 million, based on low bids opened in early May, although the cost is expected to be closer to $19.5 million, according to an estimate by Commissioner Chairman Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman.