Downtown Ashland Association proudly presents the 2021 Marketing Initiative, a grant program to catalyze business recovery.
This week, ten local small businesses were awarded over $16,000 in grant funds. The program is designed to help Downtown Ashland businesses recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and is made possible by funding from the Virginia Main Street Program.
Downtown Ashland businesses receiving the grant awards are Refunkit, Ashland Feed Store, Center of the Yarniverse, Origin Beer Lab, Alvaro Coronado Inc., Thrill of the Hunt, Jake’s Place, RED VEIN Escape, Ashland Meat Company, and Family Eye Care Centers of Virginia. The resulting projects will include digital branding, online sales expansion, and improved outdoor signage.
“COVID-19 changed our global economy almost overnight. With the grant program, we have an opportunity to help local businesses respond to this new challenge and to support the development of a stronger Downtown Ashland economy in 2021,” said Maggie Longest, executive director of Downtown Ashland Association.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Downtown Ashland Association’s 2021 Marketing Initiative,” said Kristina Lyden, owner of Thrill of the Hunt. “The grant funding will help tremendously, and we are getting started right away.”
Awards were chosen competitively, based on the strength of an applicant’s marketing plan as evaluated by an independent panel of business experts. Preference was given to small businesses marketing directly to the public, especially entertainment, retail, and restaurants.
The Downtown Ashland community is cooperating to make the grant program a success. We Think in Ink is offering a 20% discount for grant projects, and the Town of Ashland provided $2,000 funding toward the program. Meanwhile, Downtown Ashland Association is offering a series of free virtual workshops to help all local business owners plan and implement post-COVID recovery projects—information is online at ashlandvirginia.com/brws.
“We are proud to see our local community rally in support of small businesses during the global pandemic,” said Longest. “This spirit is what makes Ashland ‘The Center of the Universe’!”