Pullman receives T-Mobile grant for downtown revitalization

On Tuesday, December 12, T-Mobile announced Pullman, Wash., as one of 25 towns to the receive funds from this round the “Hometown Grants” program.

The Pullman Downtown association looks to receive $49,965 from T-Mobile. A check presentation ceremony took place at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Etsi Bravo in Pullman during the town’s “Sparkling Soiree” downtown celebration. Rural Marketing Manager Charlie Smith and manager of the Pullman T-Mobile store, Mark McFee, were present at the ceremony as representatives for the company.

According to Mallory Nash, Executive Director of the Downtown Pullman Association, the city plans to use the funds around the Pine Street Plaza area for street furnishing and placemaking. Nash said the city aims to have downtown project completed during 2024. “We are thrilled to be recipients of the T-Mobile Hometown Grant! This grant exemplifies our commitment to creating welcoming spaces that bring people together in the heart of downtown Pullman. As we enter 2024, we are excited about the future and the opportunity to work closely with our community, continuing to make progress towards a downtown core that people can gather and create lasting memories.”

To select recipient, T-Mobile partners with Main Street America and Smart Growth America. The received applications are judged by their level of detail, community impact, feasibility and other considerations. Each quarter, T-Mobile awards 25 Hometown Grants to small towns with populations of 50,000 or less. Pullman was the only town in Washington selected during this round of grants.

The “Hometown Grant” program began in 2021, and since has contributed more than $11 million to 250 communities across 43 states, with $26 million allocated for the program through 2026. “With 250 recipients, we’ve officially hit the halfway mark with T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants, and the impact is astounding,” said Jon Freier, President, Consumer Group, T-Mobile. “This milestone isn’t just about communities revitalizing their towns … it’s acknowledging the ripple effect — job creation and tens of thousands of volunteer hours sparking a profound wave of positive change throughout Small Town America — and I can’t wait to see what the next half brings.”