T‑Mobile unveiled its latest 25 Hometown Grant recipients, tallying up to 325 communities across 47 states, including, for the first time, Rhode Island. The grantees will each receive up to $50,000 in funding from T‑Mobile to kickstart local development projects that enhance communities, such as building adaptive playgrounds, launching small business initiatives, and beautifying downtowns.
To select Hometown Grant recipients, T‑Mobile partners with Main Street America to oversee the grant program and assess applications based on their level of detail, community impact, feasibility, and other considerations.
T‑Mobile has provided more than $14 million in Hometown Grants since it kicked off its five-year commitment to small towns and rural communities in April 2021. To date, Hometown Grants has created more than 86,000 volunteer hours, rallying people to come together and uplift their towns.
Interested in applying for a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant? The current grant cycle closes on September 30, 2024. Click here to learn more.
Here are the next 25 Hometown Grant recipients and their projects:
Montevallo, Ala.: Install sensory playground equipment with accessible parking at the Grainger Community Counseling and Wellness Clinic, providing an additional amenity to community residents in rural Alabama seeking free mental health services.
• *Safford, Ariz.: Renovate the Intermountain Centers for Human Development, including updates to xx and xx, to ensure it remains a vital resource offering life-changing mental health services to all, regardless of financial or life circumstances.
• Fort Bragg, Calif.: Revitalize the historic Fort Building, once part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation, for use as the Tribal Learning Center to increase community awareness and visibility of the heritage and contemporary culture of the local Pomo tribe.
• Plainfield, Ill.: Rehabilitate the Turner-Mottinger House at Quality Hill, home to the Underground Railroad station in 1833 and to one of Plainfield’s first founders, to incorporate an exhibit reflecting the 1842 – 1847 era about changing race relations in the Plainfield community.
• ***Junction City, Kan.: Beautify three alleyways in downtown Junction City, adding art, outdoor furniture, safety barricades and lighting to provide new opportunities for social interaction and play in the community.
• *Hutchinson, Kan.: Preserve Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre by repairing water pooling and masonry damage issues to ensure the structural integrity and longevity of the cultural landmark, and enhance community pride.
• Berea, Ky.: Install shade structures at the Berea Ballpark Complex, improving the comfort and safety for players and spectators visiting the complex.
• Pittsfield, Maine: Renovate and reopen the Reuse Center by repairing damage from torrential wind and rainstorms and create an indoor and outdoor public space to honor the seniors who operate and meet at the facility.
• Granite Falls, Minn.: Build and launch the YES! House in a historic Granite Falls Main Street building to foster community connection and empathy, promote creative solutions to community challenges, support active civic engagement, and grow local creative, economic and social capital.
• Clarksdale, Miss.: Transform the area in front of J’s Grocery in Clarksdale, adding a mural, outdoor furniture, bike racks, sunshades, planters, life-size games, and an activation space to address food inequity and pedestrian safety in the community.
• ***Waynesville, N.C.: Install a mural on the 100-year-old Pigeon Street School — one of the only schools for African American children in Haywood County — by the Waynesville Public Arts Commission-selected muralist Kristy McCarthy to bring communities together.
• Henderson, N.C.: Purchase a vehicle to reach more remote communities, expanding the HUBZone Technology Initiative: collecting donated tech equipment and converting it to Chromebooks for individuals who need them for professional or educational advancement.
• *Goffstown, N.H.: Build permanent ADA-compliant restroom facilities at the Goffstown Junior Baseball Field, enhancing the experience of all spectators, fans and volunteers.
• Allentown, N.J.: Launch Unity Kitchen to ensure seniors have access to nutritious food, promote good health, improve quality of life and foster community engagement.
• Stanhope, N.J.: Renovate Lenape Valley Regional High School’s district auditorium, including updates to the sound system and stage area, to continue to host functions and districtwide events.
• Bath, N.Y.: Upgrade Pulteney Park’s electrical infrastructure, providing a dedicated event space that will bring the community together and promote residential and business growth.
• ***Wooster, Ohio: Revitalize the historic Lyric Theater into an inclusive community space, adding a family restroom and ADA-compliant infrastructure such as a hallway ramp, audio headsets and closed-captioning equipment to serve Wayne County’s residents with disabilities.
• Columbiana, Ohio: Launch the Garden of Eatin’, an inclusive space offering art and entertainment, promoting small businesses throughout the community.
• Madras, Ore.: Transform the outdated 2.55-acre schoolyard at Madras Elementary School into an inviting accessible park open to everyone outside of school hours, serving the community and the town’s multi-generational residents.
• Shelbyville, Tenn.: Renovate an unused courtyard in Shelbyville’s town square into a vibrant space for recreational activities to foster local connections, support small businesses, create a family-friendly environment and enhance community well-being and engagement.
• ***Brownsville, Tenn.: Create Downtown Art in The Alley, a collection of outdoor public art murals highlighting the musical and cultural heritage of the area.
• Hurricane, Utah: Build a Veterans Memorial Park to recognize community members who have served across military branches.
• **Vernal, Utah: Create a new festive public gathering space in historic downtown, including a dinosaur-shade structure to support businesses and build community connections.
• Stanwood, Wash.: Construct an outdoor learning space for the Community Resource Center of Stanwood Camano’s youth programs, including a new garden space and amphitheater for events, presenters and performances.
• **Osceola, Wis.: Build the Osceola Skatepark, providing a dedicated space for skateboarders, and bike and scooter riders to express creativity, discovery, community, conversation and promote health.
***Located in Main Street America Accredited Member Community
**Located in Main Street America Affiliate Member Community
*Located in Main Street America General Member Community