The Coplay Planning Commission made it clear at a recent meeting they are set on restoring pride to the borough of Coplay.

The Planning Commission is doing a "Sponsor a Street Banner Program," which will allow businesses, clubs, institutions, organizations and residents to purchase a banner that will be displayed on both Second and Chestnut streets. The mission of the project is to strengthen the boroughs economic development, revitalization and vision.

Stephen Burker, a member of the planning commission and also a Coplay Borough councilman, is in charge of marketing and public relations. He said at the Jan. 28 planning commission meeting the project will help bring pride back into the community.

"People should be proud to live in Coplay," he said. "It's a great community, a great place to raise a family, and it's affordable."

The cost to sponsor one banner is $250. The banners, which are 24 by 48 inches, will be displayed on utility poles from April to November each year, with each banner having a life span of approximately three years.

Each sponsor is allowed to have three lines of text added, with each line containing no more than 15 characters. The images on each banner are predetermined, and will display either the Coplay Municipal Building or the historic Saylor Cement Kilns. The only restrictions the planning commission has put into effect are that there should be no political ads, no phone numbers and no company logos or pictures.

While the counsel cannot guarantee the placement of a banner, planning commission Chairman Charles Sodl, also a Coplay Borough councilman, said they will "accommodate the customer to the closest proximity of their request."

Sodl said they have a goal of selling 50 to 60 banners. Twenty-five have already been purchased.

The American Club of Coplay was the first business to purchase a banner. Others include the Coplay Community Days, Coplay Fire Department, Trinity United Church of Christ and Coplay Recreation and Welfare, which purchased 15.

Sponsors who aren't located in Coplay may also sponsor banners.

Burker said the purpose of this project is to not only restore pride to the community, but also to promote local businesses.

"Coplay is full of a lot of great organizations," he said. "We're a small town, but we have pride in what we do."

Alongside businesses, Burker said families can purchase banners in memory of loved ones.

"It's a great way for people to pay respect to family members," Burker said. "It's showing they're not forgotten."

Banners that have been purchased to date for the deceased include those in memory of Tacy Lee Boyle, Frank Stanzel and Steven and Mary Gasper.

Planning commission Vice Chairwoman Christine Mann said the project is the "beginning of many other economic revitalizations."

Sponsorship order forms can be found on the Coplay Borough website at coplayborough.org. Order forms, along with cash or check, can be mailed to the Borough of Coplay Municipal Building, 98 S. Fourth St., Coplay, 18037.

Contact the borough office at 610-262-6088 for more information.