Wareham is one of ten finalists for T-Mobile’s Hometown Techover sweepstakes — and the town could win big, with the prize valued at $3 million. 

The ten finalists were chosen from roughly 3,000 entries, and each finalist will receive a $50,000 grant. 

If Wareham wins it all, the town would get a $200,000 grant, an upgraded Little League field, tech upgrades to a public space, access to T-Mobile programs that give students wifi and improve tech access for first responders and a free concert by country duo Florida Georgia Line. T-Mobile would also update its 5G coverage of the area.

“One of the reasons Wareham was named a top finalist is the city’s clear plan and desire to invest in their community, and its commitment to making the town an attractive place to live and visit,” said T-Mobile spokesperson Roni Singleton.

Town Planner Ken Buckland entered the town into the competition, and was pleased the town was chosen as a finalist.

“T-Mobile has been an excellent ‘corporate citizen’ in Wareham. The town has benefited from the relationship with high-quality mobile service,” Buckland said. “Now the town is finding it has value to T-Mobile with our short-list selection as a possible 'techover' community. We are very pleased and look forward to building infrastructure that supports better communications for all people within the town.”

The other finalists are scattered across the country, and include towns in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Montana and California. 

The contest coincides with T-Mobile’s efforts to expand service in rural areas.

“Part of the reason we did this is that we really want to shine a light on the importance of smaller towns and rural communities,” Singleton said. “We know that dollars get stretched thin, and every dollar counts. This is a way we can give back and show a commitment to these communities.”

Singleton said that the winner of the contest will be “one of the smartest towns in America.”

The winner will be selected later this summer “based on project feasibility, the town’s need for a network upgrade, and town leadership interest and engagement,” according to a T-Mobile press release.

To celebrate Wareham’s status as a finalist, T-Mobile handed out free pink cupcakes from Cupcake Charlie’s in Wareham Crossing.