Johnson Foundation Gives $10,000 to UB for Digitization of WBFO Studios

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Johnson Foundation of Jamestown has given a $10,000 grant to WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by the University at Buffalo, to be used in the digitization of its studios.

The project will involve the replacement of obsolete broadcasting equipment, as well as the improvement of delivery systems for WBFO and its repeater stations, WUBJ 88.1 FM in Jamestown and WOLN 91.3 FM in Olean, according to Carole Smith Petro, associate vice president and WBFO general manager.

"The digitization of the WBFO studios, once complete, will enable us to provide a higher-quality, more consistent signal to our listeners, improve staff efficiency in studio operations and allow us to achieve the high broadcast standards needed for national placements. WBFO's studios will be the most technologically sophisticated radio facility in Western New York and the Southern Tier," Petro said.

WBFO has received a federal $50,000 competitive grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration/Public Telecommunications Facilities Program to assist the station in switching to a digital studio format during spring and summer 2003. The total cost of the project is $250,000.

Carole W. Sellstrom, executive director of the Johnson Foundation, said the trustees approved the grant out of their desire to continue the high-quality news and programming provided by WBFO and WUBJ.

"On behalf of the Johnson Foundation, I extend every good wish for the success of this exciting and worthwhile project," Sellstrom said. "We look forward to the enhanced service that this upgrade will provide to the Jamestown and Chautauqua areas."

The Johnson Foundation has awarded two previous grants to the station. The first grant enabled WBFO to establish a repeater station in Jamestown in 1994; and the second grant, given in 2000, permitted it to expand its signal in the Jamestown and Chautauqua areas, thereby reaching

more people in the Southern Tier and delivering a stronger signal to listeners in the original broadcast area.

WBFO is a major public service of the University at Buffalo and is Western New York's only FM National Public Radio (NPR) station. It reaches an audience of approximately 100,000 people through its main signal in Buffalo and through its repeater stations, WUBJ 88.1 FM and WOLN 91.3 FM. WBFO offers a depth of programming not available elsewhere in Western New York, including NPR/PRI news and entertainment programs, local and regional news, public and cultural affairs programming, and jazz and blues.

The grant from the Johnson Foundation is part of "The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation," which is in its final phase and has a goal of $250 million.

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