IRON MOUNTAIN — The Downtown Development Authority wants Iron Mountain to look a little more inviting, even while in the grip of winter cold and snow.

Having received a $2,888 grant in October through former Gov. Rick Snyder’s Regional Prosperity Initiative, the DDA spent about $1,500 on strings of bistro lights that now form a canopy over East A Street just off Stephenson Avenue.

“Hanging bistro lights downtown has been a long-standing dream of ours at the DDA,” said Paula Craven, DDA program director. “… We love the visible way lights brighten up our downtown during the dark winter months.”

The DDA also used $250 for a mini-grant to the winner of the Christmas Walk window decorating contest.