She noted the grant-funded work to grow the city’s technological capabilities coincides with design planning and funding allocations for other potential huge infrastructure projects in the city, namely a $57 million widening of Route 47 through the city by the Illinois Department of Transportation that could be started within the next two years, as well as a possible Metra railway expansion further in the future.

“It’s going to be transformational for Woodstock. We have the Route 47 expansion coming. We have the Metra expansion down the road. The piece we were missing is the tech piece,” Gulli said.

The 5G capability is expected to be especially useful for the Woodstock Farmer’s Market as well as other large downtown gatherings like concerts, holiday lightings and more, and prevent slowdowns of wireless networks during busy times, Gulli said.

The winnings also involve the nonprofit Smart Growth America consulting with Woodstock on how to spend the grant funding available through the T-Mobile winnings, Gulli said.

The project will facilitate talks between local schools, the city and the consultants to ensure students and teachers have the connectivity they need for academic success, Also, T-Mobile will be distributing 100 “prize packs” consisting of cellphones and other devices to Woodstock residents, with an emphasis on providing technology to households that are underserved and in need of new technology, Gulli said.

Woodstock, along with nine other towns across America, had already netted $50,000 in grants from T-Mobile for being named top-10 finalists in the company’s inaugural T-Mobile Hometown Techover.

“The chosen town will become the 5G model for communities across the U.S., showcasing the power of the country’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network — T-Mobile’s,” the company said in a news release announcing the other finalists last month.

A panel of judges from T-Mobile and Smart Growth America determined the contest’s winner based on project feasibility, the town’s need for a network upgrade, and town leadership interest and engagement.

“We’re so excited that T-Mobile has made a commitment to small and rural cities like Woodstock,” Real Woodstock wrote on its Facebook page Sunday morning. “While we know Woodstock is a great place to live, work and play, we are excited for the world to know.”

A television segment about the T-Mobile contest and Woodstock’s victory is set to air on NBC’s “The Today Show” on Friday, Gulli said.

Photo by 400ft and below for Real Woodstock