With help from a grant from the city of Ashland through the American Rescue Plan, several businesses have been able to brighten their storefronts. An expert in retail development suggested that downtown is dark in the Fall and Winter months, not inviting. Through the efforts of the Ashland Main Street program, The Color Center, Play Unplugges games, Gabriele’s German Sweets and Market on Main all received grants of varying amounts to make improvements to their exterior lighting. Businesses who applied but were not awarded will be considered in the future.