SOLEDAD — City of Soledad received an early Christmas gift Saturday during the second annual Cookies with Santa event, where it was awarded a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant to upgrade the stage at the Soledad Community Center.
Soledad was selected as one of T-Mobile’s latest 25 Hometown Grant recipients nationwide, and was one of only three California cities to receive the award this quarter. The $50,000 grant will go toward building an inclusive performing arts stage at the Community Center, including updated stage lighting and ADA accessible lift for community youth performances.
“We are so thrilled to receive this grant from T-Mobile to ensure that all of our residents can perform on the stage at the Community Center,” said Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez. “The City has prioritized creating all-inclusive spaces, recently opening the first inclusive park in South Monterey County. This is especially important to me growing up with a disabled sister who was often precluded from these spaces due to physical barriers.”
Through Hometown Grants, communities nationwide are kickstarting projects that make a difference and help their towns thrive. Since launching its five-year commitment to small towns in April 2021, T-Mobile has awarded a whopping 250 communities across 43 states and over $11 million in funding.
“T-Mobile is proud to support communities we serve,” said Omar Linares, local representative for T-Mobile. “We began the Hometown Grants in the spring of 2021 as part of T-Mobile’s massive commitment to bring 5G to rural America. More than just wireless towers, we want to make sure that we give back and make sure that these communities thrive.”
Each quarter, T-Mobile awards 25 Hometown Grants to small towns with populations of 50,000 or less. According to Linares, there were more than 500 applications this quarter.
Soledad is the second city in South Monterey County to receive a Hometown Grant, following King City’s award in March 2022 for its future visitor center and history museum.
Soledad resident Mike Correa of T-Mobile encouraged the City of Soledad to apply for the grant.
“This relationship with T-Mobile shows how residents can really make a difference in our community, whether it’s volunteering or with funding opportunities such as this,” said Megan Hunter, city manager for the City of Soledad.
T-Mobile representatives hosted a check presentation Dec. 16 with City officials at the Soledad Community Center during Cookies with Santa. The community event featured a fun night of games, holiday crafts and treats for local families, along with a visit from Father Christmas himself.
Soledad launches capital campaign
Prior to the Hometown Grant announcement, the City of Soledad launched a capital campaign for the Soledad Community Center, and the $50,000 will contribute to the overall financial needs of the facility.
This initiative, in collaboration with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), aims to raise $2.4 million to renovate and upgrade the 23,000-square-foot building.
“Established in 1993, the Community Center has served as a vital hub for Soledad residents, offering amenities like gymnasiums, meeting rooms, performance spaces and the popular ‘tiny chefs’ program,” according to the City in a news release. “However, due to its age and heavy use, the facility needs essential upgrades and improvements to meet the growing demands of the community.”
The planned enhancements include a complete kitchen renovation, ADA accessibility improvements, lighting and electrical upgrades, HVAC improvements, emergency services upgrades, outdoor lighting, landscaping and the addition of EV charging stations.
Benefiting from $500,000 in federal funding, the campaign seeks further support through tax-deductible donations facilitated by CFMC. Contributions of $250 or more qualify for a donor receipt and various recognition levels: $250 to $499 receives a small plaque, $500 to $999 gets a medium plaque, and donations exceeding $1,000 earn a large plaque displaying a name and message.
“We are hoping that our community can get involved in helping us with the capital campaign,” Hunter said. “We are looking forward to a lot more improvements, including better gym lighting, kitchen upgrades and more handicap accessible improvements.”
Donations can be made online through cfmc.org/soledadcc, via check or by calling 831-375-9712.
“Join us in transforming the Soledad Community Center into a vibrant and modern space that continues to enrich our community’s life and well-being,” the City stated.
