BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The City of Inez did not receive a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant to purchase a lighted marquee sign. Its application was not among the program’s most recent funding round.
Interim city clerk Kayla Crum announced the outcome during the City of Inez Commission’s December meeting.
“T-Mobile didn’t accept our application,” Crum said. “They said they can only accept five each quarter. We may be able to reapply, though.”
The city sought $36,000 through the competitive grant program to help fund a new marquee sign. City clerk Lisa Mollett, who is currently on leave, applied in December 2024. She obtained letters of support from Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty, Big Sandy ADD director Eric Ratliff and others.
Commissioner Phyllis Conrad, whose enthusiasm prompted the commission’s vote to purchase a lighted marquee in November 2024, gathered estimates from Unisign Corp of Prestonsburg. Prices ranged from $25,000 for a 3-foot-by-4-foot sign to approximately $29,000 for a larger model.
Grantees could receive up to $50,000 for shovel-ready projects that include a detailed plan, budget and anticipated impact.
T-Mobile partners with Main Street America to administer the grant program, which evaluates applications based on project readiness, community impact, feasibility and overall detail. The initiative is investing $25 million in 500 rural communities over five years to support projects such as technology upgrades, public spaces, arts initiatives, libraries and community centers.
The program announced 25 grant recipients Dec. 11, bringing the total investments to more than $20 million since it launched in April 2021.
Recent awards included projects in Dale, Texas, where funding will support a mesh Wi-Fi network and a historic train-themed pavilion; Mesa, Arizona, for a school and community garden; Two Rivers, Wisconsin, for a new ADA-compliant kayak launch and paddle ramp; Madison, West Virginia, for a community-driven farmers market and greenhouse; and Milford, Delaware, for construction of accessible public restrooms in the downtown area.
Commissioners encouraged the clerk to reapply for the grant in a future funding cycle.