SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $200,000 FOR NHPR TO EXPAND NORTH COUNTRY COVERAGE

(Washington, D.C.)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that New Hampshire Public Radio's (NHPR's) project to activate WEVF, 90.3 in Colebrook and WEVQ 91.9 in Littleton as repeater stations of WEVO-FM in Concord, received $213,609 in grants from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

"As we continue to make strides in bringing important technology and infrastructure to every part of New Hampshire, this grant will help the North Country have continued and strengthened access to important news and information carried by New Hampshire Public Radio," said Shaheen.

The grant will enable NHPR to provide public radio service for the first time to approximately 37,000 residents of the North Country, including the communities of Colebrook, Stewartstown, Pittsburgh, and Columbia for WEVF, and Littleton, Lancaster, Whitefield, and Bethlehem for WEVQ, covering nearly 1,425 square miles combined.

"NHPR is committed to bringing independent journalism - on-air and on-line - to every listener across the state" said Betsy Gardella, President and CEO of New Hampshire Public Radio.   "The PTFP Program provides critical support as we strive to fulfill our statewide mission.  These grants from PTFP allow NHPR to upgrade its service in Coos and Grafton Counties and reach thousands of citizens with in-depth local, national and international news."

The funding comes from the NTIA's Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) which helps bring educational and cultural public broadcast programming to all parts of the country by funding the construction of needed facilities.  The PTFP funds will be matched by public-private partnerships, in Colebrook by a grant from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, and in Littleton through a corporate community partnership with the Community Development Finance Authority.