ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Downtown Escanaba has been lined with orange barrels since the start of spring. This week, volunteers added some new colors to Ludington Street. Five years ago, Enhance Escanaba purchased 36 cement pots thanks to a $50,000 grant from America in Bloom. Since then, the group has filled those pots with flowers each June. On Wednesday, Enhance Escanaba members planted flowers on Ludington Street from 6th Street to the Municipal Dock. The flowers were purchased from Chenier’s Greenhouse, courtesy of grant funding from the Community Foundation for Delta County. Enhance Escanaba President Karen Moore says in addition to brightening up the downtown, the flowers can actually have a positive economic impact. “They have actually researched and said that beautification increases sales,” said Moore. “I was at a convention where it was actually proven to me from other cities that had a significant increase in sales. Plus, they had a significant decrease in the empty stores in downtown. It’s not just for your eye; it’s for your pocketbook, too.” Enhance Escanaba is always looking for new volunteers and ideas. The group meets every other month, and meeting dates and times are posted on the Enhance Escanaba Facebook page. To learn more about the group, visit enhanceescanaba.org.