UB's public service radio station, WBFO 88.7 FM, recently received a grant that will help fund the construction of an updated tower and a new antenna, allowing the station to reach more listeners, especially in the City.
Modernizing these elements is necessary for the station, which has been voted "Best Radio Station in Buffalo" by Artvoice readers, to continue broadcasting in the long run.
"Without a new tower, the station would eventually not be able to continue," said Carole Smith Petro, associate vice president and general manager of WBFO.
The construction, which will be completed this spring, will add 50,000 more potential listeners due to the fact that the new tower will be 45 percent taller than the 20-year-old tower that is currently in use.
"Our broadcast area will then be 1.2 million people that can tune in if they choose to," Petro said. "This will particularly effect our urban listeners because there are obstacles in the urban environment that will be overcome by a taller tower."
The new tower and antenna, funded by a $223,500 grant from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP), a federal foundation, will also strengthen the signal for the 1.15 million people currently in reach.
WBFO was one of only two radio stations in NY to receive equipment grants from PTFP. The federal government is trying to support public broadcasting through grants like these, according to Petro.
"They determined that they would serve our audience better and serve a larger audience by undertaking this project," Petro said. "I think (we received one of the grants) because we made a very good case, and we provide great public services that should be expanded. It demonstrates our value to this community."
According to Petro, the amount of grant money the station receives depends on whether or not there is a project underway. A combination of money from public and private sources funds special projects like constructing a new tower and adding an antenna.
For normal operations, WBFO depends mostly on private donations. Seventy percent of the broadcast's annual operating revenue is from private sources, she said.
To complete this project, the station must raise $575,000 through private donations, Petro said in a press release.
In addition, WBFO must match the grant, which they will do through applying for other grants and asking supporters for donations. The station has already received a check from another foundation, she said.
The new tower will be in the same general vicinity as the current tower, which is on UB property, northeast of North Campus and Millersport Highway.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
