The City of Saco receives a check from T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants to update Riverfront Park in the city’s downtown. Contributed / T-Mobile
The City of Saco received a $49,276 Hometown Grants from T-Mobile to revitalize Riverfront Park in the city’s downtown last weekend.
The grant will go towards adding picnic tables, seating, and bike racks to Riverfront Park. It will also allow the installation of security cameras, and providing a safe, relaxing place for the community to enjoy outdoor recreational activities along the Saco River.
Riverfront Park, which has been underused, will now become a hub of excitement, visibility, and recreation, Saco Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Sommer said.
“Saco Main Street and the City of Saco are thrilled to receive the T-Mobile Hometown Grant,” Sommer said. “This grant will help us realize our vision of transforming downtown into a vibrant outdoor recreational space.”
T-Mobile officially launched the Hometown Grants program in April 2021 as part of the company’s commitment to help small towns and rural communities across the country thrive, Corporate Communications Director Danielle Babbington told the Courier.
Each quarter, T-Mobile awards 25 Hometown Grants to towns with populations of 50,000 or less.
“Through Hometown Grants, people in communities nationwide are kickstarting projects that make a real difference and help their towns flourish,” Babbington said.
Since 2021, Hometown Grants have been used to invest in youth education projects, revitalize community centers and outdoor spaces, and decorate towns with public art installations.
The program has $25 million set aside through 2026 to support Hometown Grants, Babbington said, and has already provided over $13 million in grant funding to 300 towns across 47 states.
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. Saco is a Main Street America community; Main Street America is dedicated to “reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns,” according to its website.
“We are so excited for the City of Saco,” Babbington said. “The updates will be a great enhancement to Riverfront Park and we look forward to the completion of the project for the entire community to enjoy.”
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