H.307 - A New VT Community Radio Grant Program
Updated February 26:
The Vermont Legislature is considering a new bill to establish a VT Community Radio Network Grant program. This bill would provide one-time state grant funding for all 10 community radio stations in Vermont to help us upgrade our broadcast gear to be ready for emergency response in our areas. This currently is set at $250,000 to be divided amongst the stations as grants, from the Vermont Public Safety Department via the Vermont Association of Broadcasters.
Updated: Wed. Feb. 26: The bill is now in the House, H.307, is under House Appropriations Committee review.
Now is the time for our listeners and friends of community radio to help lawmakers know how much these stations matter, especially in the more rural parts of our state. From our everyday hyper-local programming to our ability to respond in the moment to emergencies, community radio is made by Vermonters for Vermonters.
Please consider contacting your local State Representative to ask them to support this funding! No matter where you listen from in Vermont, and make sure they know to look for H.307 and to support this funding as it comes through the House Appropriations Budget process. Find your Representatives’ contact information at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/.
You can also reach out to the House Appropriations Committee and let them know you support this line item for VT Community Radio Grant Program. Information here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/detail/2026/9
You can call the statehouse to leave a message for a representative or committee at: (802) 828-2228.
What WGDR/WGDH would use this grant for:
For WGDR, Plainfield, and WGDH, Hardwick, we’d use this funding to move the WGDR antenna to a higher point in Plainfield to increase our FCC-approved broadcast reach into Montpelier, Barre, and other areas we’ve been spotty for 50+ years. For WGDH, we’d replace the antenna line (a key repair!) and upgrade the transmitter, among other needed infrastructure fixes. These are critical upgrades for both stations that would have lasting impacts for many years to come. A very good investment of public funding.
We will continue to update listeners on the status of this bill as the legislative session continues.
Thank you for your support on this!
The community radio stations in Vermont currently on the air are:
· WBTV-LP, Burlington, 99.3 FM
· WFVR-LP, South Royalton, 96.5 FM
· WGDR, Plainfield, 91.1 FM & WGDH, Hardwick, 91.7 FM
· WMRW-LP, Warren, 94.5 FM
· WOMM-LP, Burlington, 105.9 FM
· WOOL-FM, Bellows Falls, 91.5 FM
· WVEW-LP, Brattleboro 107.7 FM
The new community LPFM stations being built this year are:
● Bristol, WVVT-LP
● Ludlow, WLUD-LP
● Richmond/Underhill/Jericho, WRUJ-LP
