The Hometown Heroes banners in Tamaqua are scheduled to receive a face-lift.

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce announced recently that a new banner program is in place for next year."The response to this second banner program has been so well-received," said Ben Turrano, board president, Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce."The expansion of the program to include those who have contributed to our community and gave of themselves provides their loved ones an opportunity to honor their service."Vanessa Gerhard, administrative assistant for the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, said the current banners on display as part of the Chamber's 2013 Our Hometown Heroes banner program have been up longer than recommended.Gerhard said those on the waiting list from that program have been patiently waiting for an opportunity to honor their loved ones.Gerhard said that when the current banners are removed, the sponsors will be able to keep them.She said the chamber is also looking into displaying any of those banners in an indoor setting should the sponsors wish to relinquish them."We are aiming to have the new banner program in place by Memorial Day," Gerhard said.Gerhard said the new Hometown Heroes program is intended to honor any local hometown hero who has provided beneficial service to the Tamaqua area, and added that may include first responders, organization volunteers, civic leaders, active military, veterans, and may be living or deceased.She said the banners will be displayed on available poles throughout the borough's downtown.The banners will be displayed on available poles throughout the borough's downtown, and are constructed of heavy weight, outdoor vinyl with slits to minimize wind damage.They will be displayed for a minimum of one year, and the banners may be rotated during that time period.The cost per banner is $200, and includes a $25 donation to various local fire companies.Cash, check or credit is accepted. Checks should be made payable to Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce.The application/photo submission deadline is March 3, with the target date for banner removal by Memorial Day. The target date for banner removal is May 2019.The banners will remain property of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce while displayed.The banner can be returned to the purchaser at the end of the program.For more details, visit the chamber's website at

http://tamaqua.net/newsandevents/bannerprogram.html.