Columbia City, IN — Peabody Public Library is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of the newest recipients of a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant, a national program dedicated to strengthening small towns through community-centered projects. T-Mobile announced the latest round of recipients as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting local innovation and connectivity.
T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program funds projects that foster local connections—including technology enhancements, outdoor spaces, arts initiatives, and improvements to community centers. The program is administered in partnership with Main Street America, with applications evaluated based on project detail, community impact, and feasibility to advance shared prosperity, strengthen local economies, and improve quality of life in small communities.
On December 11, Peabody Public Library hosted a public presentation and check ceremony in the library’s community rooms to celebrate the award. Light appetizers and drinks were provided as community members, staff, and partners gathered to commemorate the occasion.
With this funding, Peabody Public Library will upgrade and modernize the technology in its Auditorium and Meeting rooms, replacing outdated, makeshift, and often unreliable equipment with a fully integrated, state-of-the-art system. These improvements will ensure consistent, high-quality functionality for community gatherings, library programs, partner events, and public use.
“As the Peabody Public Library celebrates 125 years of serving our neighbors, we are excited to look to the future and ensure that we remain a vital part of the community. We are grateful for T-Mobile’s investment in us as this grant helps ensure that we can fulfill our mission of building community, encouraging exploration, and connecting patrons with the world.” said Mike Ashby, Executive Director.
Columbia City Mayor Ryan L. Daniel also shared his support, stating:
“Congratulations to the Peabody Public Library on this grant award. Our community appreciates T-Mobile’s contribution to equip our library!”
Peabody Public Library is deeply grateful to T-Mobile for their investment in Columbia City and looks forward to the positive, long-lasting impact these improvements will bring to our community.
From left to right, the presentation featured T-Mobile Representative Cory Lambert; Mike Ashby, Executive Director of PPL; Beth Gaff, PPL Systems Administration Manager; and Mayor Ryan L. Daniel.
To learn more about the T-Mobile grant process, visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants
To see all the winners, visit: https://www.t-mobile.
