Every four years, T-Mobile awards up to $50,000 each to 25 small communities via its Hometown Grant program, designed to support projects such as upgrades at parks, libraries, hiking trails and historic buildings.
Officials from the City of Hattiesburg recently found themselves the lucky recipients of one of those awards, as the program recently granted that amount to the city for the renovation of Vernon Dahmer Park on Country Club Road, which was heavily damaged in a fire last fall. The announcement was made by Mayor Toby Barker and other city officials during a March 21 news conference at the park.
“The pictures sent to us by the fire department did not leave us very optimistic, as the pavilion (at the park) was fully engulfed in flames,” Barker said. “After going back and forth with our insurance … we knew there was going to be a bit of a gap in trying to get that pavilion back to where it was, where it can be used for things like family reunions, birthday celebrations, Juneteenth events, Lions Club Easter egg hunts, and just being a central part of life in this part of Hattiesburg.
“But then we decided, in true Hattiesburg fashion, that we wanted to go big – we wanted a park whose amenities were second to none, of quality worthy of the park’s namesake, Mr. Vernon Dahmer Sr., and the pavilion’s namesake, Mr. Charles Edward Smith. So when we see a grant opportunity, we move quickly.”
In addition to restoration of the pavilion, the funds also will be used to refurbish and enhance the site’s playground, which will be the second inclusive playground in the city. Work on the pavilion has already begun, while renovation of the playground is expected to start by late summer.
“There are many private companies out there who offer financial grants, but there are very few who put (this) kind of money up to change a community’s expectations of itself,” Barker said. “T-Mobile has done that, and we’re incredibly grateful to them and their team for that.
“It’s just a really great day for this park, this neighborhood, all of Ward 5 and the entire city.”
Nick Brown, who represents Ward 5 on Hattiesburg City Council, thanked Barker and the city administration for going after the grant.
“We’ve done a lot in the city; we’ve done a lot here in Ward 5, and I’m just thankful for this day,” he said. “It’s all about preserving our history, and it’s all about making sure we take care of our kids and leaving it better than what we found it.
“This is just one of many upgrades to come here in the park – we have big plans for the park, and we have big plans for this area.”
Forrest County District 4 Supervisor Rod Woullard said the upgraded park will contribute greatly to the quality of life in the area, which is extremely important to residents who may be deciding where to locate.
“We’re trying to build something that other people want to be a part of, and I think, to this date, we’ve been successful doing that,” he said. “I’m looking forward to this and greater things in the future.”
In addition to the grant given to Hattiesburg, T-Mobile also awarded $50,000 each this quarter to the cities of Laurel and McComb for restoration projects. Since Hometown Grant began in 2001, Corinth, Greenville, Magee and Oxford also have received grants, totaling almost $350,000.
“I’m extremely excited to be here to represent south central Mississippi … and T-Mobile is very proud to serve the community,” said Olivia Ruffin, rural market manager for T-Mobile. “Hometown Grants … were really one of the company’s initiatives to bring 5G into rural America, which has always been our brand awareness to go out and love our community.
“Within the next five years, we will actually be giving out $25 million in grants for project developments such as this. We just want to congratulate the City of Hattiesburg for being a Hometown Grant winner … and congratulations to the Vernon Dahmer Park.”
Elected officials, town managers or employees, tribal leaders or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with populations of less than $50,000 can apply for the Hometown Grant. Proposals must include plans, budgets, timelines, anticipated impacts and up to five letters of support.
For more information, visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants.
