T-Mobile and Bijou Movie Theater held a public reception for the $50,000 grant that the theater received from the Hometown Challenge.

Owner Kelli Kennon-Lane revealed the first phase of work to the outside of the theater, which will be installing an outdoor movie screen. The projector for that screen has arrived this week, and work will be going to paint the wall on the east side with a color conducive to outdoor movies.

“These movies will be free screenings held in our community, with people encouraged to bring their own seating to enjoy,” Kennon-Lane said.

Her husband, John, is working on the electrical upgrades for the exterior of the building needed to power that projector.

Alexandra Rambo will be completing a mural on the other side, focused on a prairie tableau and some of the animals you might find in a prairie, tying in with the natural plantings that Kennon-Lane will also have around the building.

A new sign and awnings were recently installed to the building, and a privacy fence will soon be installed on the east side of the property before the additional work on the exterior is completed.

Tariq Abuomar from T-Mobile said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be there representing T-Mobile for this project.

“With these grants, we’re wanting to be part of the communities we’re supporting, and this project was one of them that means a lot to the community,” Abuomar said. “It’s a perfect example of why we want to be here.”

Jennison said this grant goes back to Mount Vernon’s long history of Community Development grants that Mount Vernon and Lisbon have received, totaling more than $750,000 that have benefited the community.

Mayor Tom Wieseler said that this project was a suc- cess for the community, and a long time coming for the work to the space.

“We have 50,000 reasons to be thankful today,” Wieseler said.