The Clarks Summit police fleet could soon feature advertisements for a car shop and a supermarket.
Borough Manager Virginia Kehoe said officials from Kost Tire and Auto Service submitted a signed contract for one of the six advertisement slots available among three borough police vehicles.
Several other local businesses, including Gerrity's Supermarkets and Gateway Ford, have expressed interest in securing an 8-by-16-inch advertisement, she said.
Announced in March, the advertising initiative should generate $6,000 in additional revenue annually, as each slot will cost a business $1,000 per year. Each of the three marked vehicles will have two advertisements - one on each rear quarter panel.
It's based on a "first come, first served" process, said council President Gerrie Carey, though she noted council would prefer it be a local business.
The businesses are responsible for designing the logos, but council must approve them before they are put on the vehicles.
"It's one of several creative strategies we have come up with to offset the decline in our earned income tax revenue," said Ms. Carey, who estimated the borough got $500,000 less in EIT revenue in 2012 than in 2008. "We are doing everything so we don't have to raise taxes."
Matt Carpenter, the store manager at the Clarks Summit Kost Tire & Auto Service, said purchasing an advertisement "was a no-brainer."
He said the company sees it as an opportunity to increase its presence in the community, while also helping the borough.
"It's a way to get our name out there, and who is more visible then law enforcement officers?" Mr. Carpenter asked.
Tom Armstrong, a member services coordinator with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, said he has heard of the concept but isn't aware how many towns have implemented it.
"I don't think it's very widespread," he said. "But I don't see a problem with it."
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