WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded a $145,832 grant to the University of Northern Iowa through the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program.
"Public radio provides a steady voice of informed news and music," Grassley said. "These funds will help extend that voice to more Iowans in the Mason City area."
According to the Department of Commerce, the University of Northern Iowa will use the money to activate a repeater station, KDVO-FM in Mason City, which will bring first public radio service to 7,358 people and provide additional service to 61,765 people. KDVO-FM will repeat KHKE-FM in Cedar Falls.
The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program provides matching grants that support the expansion and improvement of public telecommunications services for public facilities that deliver educational and cultural programs, support the replacement and improvement of the public broadcasting infrastructure including the upgrade to digital technologies and support a variety of technology-oriented distance learning projects for educational institutions and non-profit organizations.