KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The Colonial Theatre is set to bring more free outdoor arts events to downtown Keene thanks to a new $50,000 boost from T-Mobile. The funding, announced Wednesday, will help the theatre purchase and launch a mobile outdoor stage designed to host community performances during the city’s upcoming downtown construction work.

The Colonial’s proposal was one of just 25 selected nationwide this quarter from more than 900 applications submitted to T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants program, which supports community projects in towns of 50,000 residents or fewer, according to a news release. Since creating the initiative in 2021, the wireless company has funneled $20 million into 450 communities across 48 states and Puerto Rico — including $250,000 to five projects in New Hampshire.

A public check presentation is planned for Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre on Main Street, just before that evening’s show. Representatives from both the theatre and T-Mobile are expected to attend and speak about the project’s goals.

Colonial Theatre Executive Director Keith Marks said the mobile stage will help sustain the vibrancy of downtown Keene as construction ramps up.

“This gives us a way to support downtown businesses at a time when they’re going to feel the squeeze,” Marks said in the release. “By setting up a mobile stage near affected storefronts, we can keep people coming downtown for live music and events. The idea is to maintain our sense of place even as the work moves forward.”

T-Mobile says its Hometown Grants program has generated more than 2,000 jobs, over $106 million in matching funds, 179,000 volunteer hours and projects touching 2.6 million people nationwide, including initiatives aimed at strengthening small business districts.

More information about this quarter’s grant recipients is available on the company’s newsroom, and community organizations can apply for future awards online.