KPOV receives more than $13,000 in grants so far to help build new production, broadcast studios

(Update: Adding video, comments from KPOV)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- KPOV 88.9 FM, High Desert Community Radio, recently announced that a grant has been awarded to help build a new production and studio facility.

"The current production studio and the current equipment we have is original from when the station started up in 2005," Chris Gossard, the executive director of High Desert Community Radio, explained Friday.

KPOV 88.9 FM is the only noncommercial radio station originating from Bend. Stationed in downtown, they're a community radio station that is supported mainly by donations and volunteers.

Station officials said they've received $13,500 so far from the Roundhouse, Autzen and Oregon Community foundations.

"We want to be able to have two DJ booths we can broadcast from. Right now, we only have one," Gossard said. "It's going to allow us to do more local talk shows and also some more live music shows. That way, DJs won't be tripping all over themselves once we change from one show to the next."

The new production and broadcast studios will cost about $44,000, once all is said and done.

Kate Tiernan, development Manager for High Desert Community Radio, told NewsChannel 21, "This is going to give us the capability to reach more people for interviews, allowing for anyone with a wheelchair or disabilities to come in and access the rooms and move freely through our broadcast."

With over 19,000 weekly listeners in three counties, KPOV hopes to have their new studios open in time to celebrate their 20-year anniversary.

Gossard said, "We need to upgrade the equipment, because some of it, like I said, is original, and if it fails, we don't have a backup. So, that's the primary reason we're doing this."

Tiernan said, "We're trying to bring a light, have a light to shine on KPOV. That's our goal, and we are going to get it done."

KPOV expects both of their new studios to be completed and operational by next summer.

For more information, contact Kate Tiernan, Development Director at kate@kpov.org

KPOV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.