CARBONDALE – The City of Carbondale is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a $46,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile, one of only 25 communities nationwide—and one of just two in Illinois—to receive this competitive award in the latest round of funding.
The community is invited to join in the celebratory announcement and presentation of the check for this grant award at the Brown Bag Concert Wednesday at noon at the Town Square Pavilion. Cookies and light refreshments will be available to guests as we hear from representatives from T-Mobile, Carbondale Main Street, and the City of Carbondale, followed by a live music performance from “The Natives.”
T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program, launched in Spring 2021, is part of the company’s broader commitment to invest in rural America by not only expanding 5G infrastructure, but also helping small towns thrive through direct community development support. Over a five-year period, T-Mobile plans to award $25 million in grants for projects like Carbondale’s, aimed at revitalizing and enriching local communities. T-Mobile partners with Main Street America to administer the grant program and assess applications. Carbondale has been a Main Street America community since 1990.
“We are very grateful to T-Mobile for investing in Carbondale through the Hometown Grant Program,” said Stan Reno, City Manager of Carbondale. “This funding will allow us to complete the Downtown-Campus Connector—a vital pedestrian and bike-friendly link between SIU and our downtown. By improving lighting and walkability, we’re not only enhancing safety, but also creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for students, residents, and visitors. This project is another step toward building a stronger, more connected Carbondale.”
With this grant, the City of Carbondale, in collaborative efforts with Carbondale Main Street, will install decorative wayfinding signage along the Downtown-Campus Connector multi-use path and decorative alleyway lighting at three key downtown locations. These enhancements will strengthen connectivity and improve safety between Southern Illinois University (SIU) and downtown Carbondale.
“Carbondale Main Street is proud to partner on this project, which will improve access and safety in our downtown,” said Matt Collinsworth, CMS’ executive director. “I have a son who attends SIU, so I hear a lot about what we can do to make downtown a more attractive destination for students. This project is a great start. Whether someone is in Carbondale for four years or a lifetime, our downtown will welcome you.”
Dylan Chambers, President of the Saluki Pride Committee, accentuates how this project will deepen the relationship between SIU and the City of Carbondale saying “It’s exciting to see this kind of investment coming into the heart of our city. Carbondale’s downtown and SIU have always shared a strong connection, and this grant helps turn a long-standing dream into reality—creating a more vibrant, welcoming space for students, residents, and visitors alike. As someone involved with both the university and community efforts like the Saluki Pride Committee, which celebrates and promotes all things SIU, I’m especially encouraged by the momentum and inspired by the possibilities this opens up for the future. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.” Dylan Chambers, President of the Saluki Pride Committee
T-Mobile received nearly 1,000 applications from cities and towns across the country, selecting just 25 to receive grants this cycle. The City of Carbondale is honored to be recognized alongside other outstanding communities working toward a brighter future.
For more information on T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program, visit www.t-mobile.com/hometowngrant.
