March 30, 2009

Vermont Public Radio has launched a capital campaign to build a full-power VPR Classical frequency for Addison County. The new signal at 90.1 will broadcast Vermont Public Radio’s 24-hour classical music service to a population of more than 83,000.

The transmitter will be located on Chipman Hill in Middlebury and will provide a strong signal to most of Addison County, including Brandon, Salisbury, Cornwall, Shoreham, Addison, New Haven and other communities, including some towns across Lake Champlain in New York.

The total cost of the project is $346,000. An $80,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting leaves $266,000 to raise from the community before engineers can begin construction.  The sooner the goal is met, the sooner the service will be on the air.

VPR Classical had been broadcasting in Middlebury via a low-power translator at 99.5 FM, but the coverage area was small. Several months ago, new construction blocked the signal, interrupting the broadcast of VPR Classical.  

“Bringing VPR Classical to more of our region has been a top priority for VPR,” said VPR President Robin Turnau. “VPR Classical is the only service in the region that offers locally-hosted classical music throughout the day. We’re thrilled that this new transmitter will bring this service to listeners in Addison County."

For information on how to help with this campaign, contact Retta Huttlinger at 1-800-639-2192.