Meet The 25 Hometown Grant Recipients Doing Good For Their Communities

From historic buildings to hiking trails to libraries, community spaces play a vital role in fostering local connections and strengthening neighborhoods. To help small towns reap these benefits, T-Mobile is investing $25 million to jumpstart local projects across 500 rural towns through 2026.

Each quarter, T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant program awards 25 grants of up to $50,000 each to shovel-ready projects in eligible small towns, villages and territories.

In December, T-Mobile announced its latest round of Hometown Grant recipients. hitting a whopping 250 communities across 43 states and more than $11 million in funding since it kicked off its five-year commitment to small towns in April 2021.

Keep reading to learn more about how the most recent 25 Hometown Grant recipients plan to do good in their towns. And if you have an idea to improve your town, apply for a Hometown Grant today for the chance to bring your community project to life!

1. Talladega, Alabama: The City of Talladega will use its Hometown Grant to help construct Unity Playground, an inclusive, ADA-accessible playground featuring equipment that allows children of all abilities to play together.

“The playground will attract and benefit a wide range of community members — including those who are blind, deaf or deaf/blind, those with diverse health conditions and those who use wheelchairs,” City Manager Seddrick Hill Sr. said in a statement. “We are so appreciative of T-Mobile for supporting a project that will bring joy to children and families throughout our community.”

2. Coalinga, California: The City of Coalinga is using its Hometown Grant funds to help transform a vacant downtown lot into the Coalinga Splash Park. Coalinga Mayor James Horn reported that the Hometown Grant is a “significant part” of completing the first-of-its-kind outdoor recreational facility.

“Our community has been waiting for its first splash park for a long time,” said Mayor Horn. “We are very thankful for this community partnership and the support of T-Mobile.”

3. Paradise, California: The Town of Paradise will use its Hometown Grant money to install a new mural at Paradise Community Park, commemorating the community’s growth after the 2018 Camp Fire.

To create the mural — appropriately named “Our Future is Bright” — the 2,500 students across Paradise Ridge will stamp their painted handprints onto ceramic tiles, arranged to resemble a sunset. According to Jen Goodlin, Executive Director of the Rebuild Paradise Foundation, the firing process required to set the ceramic is symbolic of the community’s strength and resilience after the fire.

4. Soledad, California: The City of Soledad will put its $50,000 toward updating the performing arts stage at the Soledad Community Center, including new stage lighting and an ADA-accessible lift for youth performances.

“We are so thrilled to receive this grant from T-Mobile to ensure that all of our residents can perform on the stage at the Community Center,” said Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez.

5. Smyrna, Delaware: As part of ongoing downtown revitalization initiatives, the Town of Smyrna is using its Hometown Grant to commission two murals by renowned artist Michael Rosato. The murals, to be placed in two key downtown locations, will highlight Smyrna’s natural beauty and rich history.

Rosato is best known for his work on large-scale murals, including one at the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center that first went viral online in 2019.

6. Darien, Georgia: The City of Darien will use its funds to continue its downtown beautification efforts — including new wayfinding signage, streetlights and benches — to establish the downtown area as a gathering place and destination.

“The goal is to highlight downtown Darien’s historic architecture, and encourage residents and visitors alike to experience all the many cultural experiences Darien has to offer,” said the Darien Downtown Development Authority in a Facebook post.

7. Woodbine, Georgia: Camden County is putting its $50,000 Hometown Grant toward new playground equipment for the Cornelia Jackson Memorial Park in Woodbine, with the goal of improving the community’s health and wellness. The upgrades are scheduled to start in early 2024 and are slated for completion in the spring of 2024.

“This playground equipment is an investment in the well-being of our community, fostering a sense of belonging,” said Camden County Administrator Shawn Boatright in a statement. “It symbolizes the shared belief that every child deserves a safe, vibrant space to play, learn and grow.”

8. Eldora, Iowa: The City of Eldora is slated to put its Hometown Grant toward completing the Eldora Trail, a paved connector trail nearly one mile in length.

The Eldora Trail establishes a 10.3-mile trail loop connecting three key entities: the City of Eldora, neighboring city Steamboat Rock and the nearby Pine Lake State Park. This connection will increase accessibility and safety for community members looking to explore the natural beauty of Iowa.

9. Augusta, Kansas: The beloved Castle Park Playground in Augusta was demolished in 2022 due to its deterioration. Augusta’s Hometown Grant will help the city rebuild the 11,000-plus square-foot playground using sustainable materials.

According to a press release by Kristey Williams, project co-coordinator and Kansas House member, the renovations will make Castle Park Playground “bigger, better and even more accessible to children and families.”

10. Magee, Mississippi: The Magee Preservation Commission will use its Hometown Grant to help revitalize the Magee Community House with repairs to the roof, flooring and HVAC system. Described as the “heart of [the] city” by Tiffany Kinslow, Chamber of Commerce President and Chair of the Magee Preservation Commission, the Community House has hosted countless local events over the years.

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to T-Mobile Hometown Grants for their generous $50,000 grant and their investment in our community,” said Kinslow. “Their support will enable us to restore the Community House to its former glory and make it a vibrant and thriving part of our community once again.”

11. Hannibal, Missouri: Bluff City Theater in Hannibal received a Hometown Grant of $22,575 to revitalize its auditorium — including improvements to seating, sound and lighting — to ensure the theater can continue to share live performances with the community for years to come.

“After 10 years, Bluff City Theater is going to finally retire the antique wooden seats that were rescued from the Hannibal High School auditorium in the 1980s,” said Joe Anderson, Executive Director of the theater.

12. Hillsborough, New Jersey: Hillsborough Township will use its $4,200 Hometown Grant to help launch its Arts in the Parks program at Ann Van Middlesworth Park. The program will create 15 sidewalk art panels in collaboration with the community.

“These funds will allow the opportunity to expand on creativity, collaboration and community involvement for years ahead,” said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani. “We deeply acknowledge the generosity T-Mobile has presented in helping Hillsborough Township make an idea come to life”

13. Las Vegas, New Mexico: As part of a broader downtown beautification project, the City of Las Vegas was awarded $50,000 to install three decorative gateway entrances to Gallinas River Park.

“A healthy community begins with access to nature (and) supports an active lifestyle benefiting all,” said Las Vegas Mayor David Romero at a press conference. “We want to thank T-Mobile for their financial assistance investing in small towns.”

14. Chillicothe, Ohio: Local organization Downtown Chillicothe received $50,000 to help fund wayfinding kiosks in the historic downtown area, designed to promote local businesses and community events while also increasing foot traffic.

According to Tiffany Baldwin, chair of Downtown Chillicothe, two interactive multilingual kiosks will be installed — one in front of the courthouse and another at the corner of Water and Paint Streets.

15. El Reno, Oklahoma: The City of El Reno will use its Hometown Grant to replace outdated windows in the Historic Fort Reno Visitor Center and Museum, one of the state’s most historic landmarks.

The Visitor Center and Museum, a common stop for those traveling along Route 66, preserves the region’s rich history to educate residents and visitors alike. It is largely volunteer-run and funded solely by fundraising efforts, grants and donations.

16. Kansas, Oklahoma: The Town of Kansas is using its funds to restore Kansas Park, including ADA-accessible upgrades to the playground area, new basketball courts and new trash receptacles. These renovations will provide the community with a safe and functional space for outdoor recreation and gatherings.

“We are beyond excited to be a recipient of #hometowngrants,” the Town of Kansas said in a Facebook post. “Thank you, T-Mobile and Caitlyn Sixkiller.”

17. Poteau, Oklahoma: The Poteau Chamber of Commerce and the LeFlore County Historical Society received $50,000 toward building the new Downtown Dewey District. The first project on deck is the Pocket Park, which will serve as a multipurpose event outdoor area.

“Downtown Poteau is the heartbeat of the city,” said Poteau Mayor Scotty White. “This project strengthens the heart, preserving history and providing future development.”

18. Baker City, Oregon: The Baker City Splash Pad project, which started as a Girl Scout gold project in 2019, is now a full-fledged initiative — with a nearly $300,000 price tag.

The approximately $48,000 Hometown Grant offers a significant boost, covering the costs of concrete. The splash pad, to be located in Central Park, should be completed by the summer of 2024.

19. Lebanon, Oregon: The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce netted $50,000 to upgrade its visitor’s center with a new outdoor covered patio. The patio, expected to be built between the Chamber building and the canal, will serve as a networking space for the local business community.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to T-Mobile for their unwavering support,” said Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rebecca Grizzle in an announcement. “This grant isn’t just a financial contribution; it’s the key that unlocks the T-Mobile Terrace, an innovative space that will be the heartbeat of collaboration, creativity and community pride.”

20. York, Pennsylvania: York Area United Fire & Rescue, which serves three local communities across 39 square miles, received a $50,000 Hometown Grant to begin replacing its existing fleet of response vehicles with fuel-efficient and cost-effective hybrid vehicles.

“York Area United Fire & Rescue extends its sincere appreciation to T-Mobile for this invaluable grant, which will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on the department’s operational capabilities,” the department said in a media release.

21. Kingstree, South Carolina: The C. Williams Rush Museum of African Arts and Culture in Kingstree received a $50,000 Hometown Grant to renovate its roof, allowing the museum to continue hosting events for the community.

The Rush Museum, founded and opened in 2010, aims to record and preserve Williamsburg County’s African American history. In addition to displaying collections of art and news articles, the museum also hosts community events, including a Black History Month Program.

22. Rice, Texas: The Rice Economic Development Corporation will put its $50,000 Hometown Grant toward installing a new HVAC system in the Rice Community Gym, establishing a climate-controlled center to hold community events and support residents in emergencies.

The Rice Community Gym Project is part of the city’s broader 2024 Community & Business Building Plan, with an overarching goal of developing community spaces and fostering local business growth.

23. Bristol, Virginia: The Bristol Public Library received $50,000 to create a Mobile Minds Library, which will bring various library resources — from digital and print books to technology to makerspace workshops — across the Bristol communities in Virginia and Tennessee.

“The creation of the Mobile Minds Library … marks a significant step forward in our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement,” Bristol Public Library Executive Director Tonia Kestner, MLIS, said in a release. “We are beyond grateful for T-Mobile’s support, and look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of those who may not easily reach the library due to various constraints.”

24. Smithfield, Virginia: The Town of Smithfield will put its funding toward the continued restoration of the Station Bridge at Windsor Castle Park, ensuring its safety for visitors and residents alike. While the project has received just over $310,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the $48,000 Hometown Grant will allow the town to make repairs to additional portions of the bridge that would otherwise not have been covered.

25. Pullman, Washington: The Downtown Pullman Association received nearly $50,000 toward renovations in the heart of Main Street, including new street furnishings and placemaking. The project aims to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in the city’s historic downtown area.

“We’d like to thank our outstanding board of directors, who are not only passionate but also incredibly talented and driven. [We’d like to give] special recognition to Judy Kolde and the Outreach Committee for their dedication and hard work that made this achievement possible,” the association said in a Facebook post.

Feeling inspired? Apply for a Hometown Grant today for the chance to bring your community project to life.