About CPB

Describe your overall goals and approach to address identified community issues, needs, and interests through your station’s vital local services, such as multiplatform long and short-form content, digital and in-person engagement, education services, community information, partnership support, and other activities, and audiences you reached or new audiences you engaged.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR strives to be a dedicated and reliable source of local news and community happenings and events for our regional listenership. Our local news teams provide coverage of important governmental meetings, school boards and other groups and how the decisions made by those bodies directly impact the residents of our listening area. We also cover larger regional issues such as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project and the potential impacts on the people, environment and economic health of this largely tourism impacted area.   We also engage directly with a number of local nonprofit entities to ensure that residents not only know about these organizations, but about the detailed programs they offer and how those programs may affect their lives.   We provide locally produced/updated forecasts based on National Weather Service data, and keep our listeners updated on community events, sports events, obituaries, and school/community delays and cancellations with our daily community announcements.   A variety of in-house programming and some in-house produced features inform and educate listeners on agriculture, health, school events and arts & entertainment in our region.

Describe key initiatives and the variety of partners with whom you collaborated, including other public media outlets, community nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, the business community, teachers and parents, etc. This will illustrate the many ways you’re connected across the community and engaged with other important organizations in the area.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR continues to work closely with the Emergency Services, Homeland Security and planning organizations of Pocahontas County to provide updates and coverage during times of emergency.  Program Director Heather Niday serves as the Public Information Officer for Pocahontas County, ensuring that the most up-to-date and accurate information is disseminated over the airwaves and through social media sites. With a population that is still heavily reliant on information provided via radio and in many cases, unfamiliar with or lacking access to digital media, WVMR is a critical source of real time information for the residents of the area.   AMR continues to work with the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce to report on and promote the county’s various tourism destinations. AMR produced features such as Allegheny Clutch (arts and entertainment), the Local Foods Report and Dispatches From the Outdoors leverage partnerships with local arts venues, school organizations, nonprofit organizations and outdoor recreation providers to inform, educate and engage listeners.    The station also works with at risk students to develop writing, production and presentation skills through the WVMR Radio Club.

What impact did your key initiatives and partnerships have in your community? Describe any known measurable impact, such as increased awareness, learning or understanding about particular issues. Describe indicators of success, such as connecting people to needed resources or strengthening conversational ties across diverse neighborhoods. Did a partner see an increase in requests for related resources? Please include direct feedback from a partner(s) or from a person(s) served.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR has played a part in informing and educating the local community about the possible impacts of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project.  Through our local news coverage as well as being involved with the local emergency services we have striven to provide as much information as possible so that affected landowners and other residents can make informed decisions regarding this project that will have such an impact on the land, environment and socio-economic makeup of the county.   AMR is also an active partner with the Mountain Music Trail organization, a nonprofit organization helping to promote the local musicians and traditions of this region of the country.   Many of the members of the MMT have expressed their appreciation for the support they have received from the station, not only for their musical submissions, but also for the accompanying historical perspective that the musicians provide.  AMR has also seen an increase in the amount of listener engagement with our social media presence.

Please describe any efforts (e.g. programming, production, engagement activities) you have made to investigate and/or meet the needs of minority and other diverse audiences (including, but not limited to, new immigrants, people for whom English is a second language and illiterate adults) during Fiscal Year 2017, and any plans you have made to meet the needs of these audiences during Fiscal Year 2018. If you regularly broadcast in a language other than English, please note the language broadcast.

The region served by Allegheny Mountain Radio is approximately 97% White/Non-Hispanic by population according to the census.  Yet AMR still strives to provide a wide variety of entertainment, education and information for all residents. Our youth programs have been very well received in the community as have our tourism and cultural programming.  AMR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and women, minorities and Veterans are always encouraged to apply for all job openings.

Please assess the impact that your CPB funding had on your ability to serve your community. What were you able to do with your grant that you wouldn't be able to do if you didn't receive it?

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR is dependent upon CPB funding for a large percentage of its annual budget, roughly 50%, with the remainder coming from private donations and underwriting sales.  The station receives no financial assistance from the State of West Virginia and very little or no assistance from the local governing bodies. Without this funding, it is unlikely that WVMR could continue to function and to provide the essential information and services that are critical to the residents of our area.

Describe your overall goals and approach to address identified community issues, needs, and interests through your station’s vital local services, such as multiplatform long and short-form content, digital and in-person engagement, education services, community information, partnership support, and other activities, and audiences you reached or new audiences you engaged.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR’s mission is to be the most reliable source of local news and community happenings and events for our regional listenership. Our local news team provides coverage of important governmental and educational meetings as well as covering other community groups whose programs and initiatives directly or indirectly impact the residents of our listening area.   We continue to cover larger regional issues such as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project and its potential environmental and economic impacts on our largely agricultural and tourism based economy.   We are as an organization woven into the life of the community and work closely with the many other non-profit organizations in our region to have a positive influence on the lives of all residents regardless of whether or not they are members of our stations.   We provide frequently updated information on weather, local community happenings, local sports, school and community closings and delays, obituaries and lost and found.   In addition to a wide variety of music programming, we also provide locally and regionally produced programming that informs and educates our listeners on subjects ranging from agriculture, health and education to arts, entertainment and the history and culture of our region.

Describe key initiatives and the variety of partners with whom you collaborated, including other public media outlets, community nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, the business community, teachers and parents, etc. This will illustrate the many ways you’re connected across the community and engaged with other important organizations in the area.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR’s mission is to be the most reliable source of local news and community happenings and events for our regional listenership. Our local news team provides coverage of important governmental and educational meetings as well as covering other community groups whose programs and initiatives directly or indirectly impact the residents of our listening area.   We continue to cover larger regional issues such as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project and its potential environmental and economic impacts on our largely agricultural and tourism based economy.   We are as an organization woven into the life of the community and work closely with the many other non-profit organizations in our region to have a positive influence on the lives of all residents regardless of whether or not they are members of our stations.   We provide frequently updated information on weather, local community happenings, local sports, school and community closings and delays, obituaries and lost and found.   In addition to a wide variety of music programming, we also provide locally and regionally produced programming that informs and educates our listeners on subjects ranging from agriculture, health and education to arts, entertainment and the history and culture of our region.

What impact did your key initiatives and partnerships have in your community? Describe any known measurable impact, such as increased awareness, learning or understanding about particular issues. Describe indicators of success, such as connecting people to needed resources or strengthening conversational ties across diverse neighborhoods. Did a partner see an increase in requests for related resources? Please include direct feedback from a partner(s) or from a person(s) served.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR continues to inform and educate our community about the progress of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project, which has the potential to have multiple affects on our local economy and environment, both positive and negative.  Through our local news coverage as well as being involved with the local emergency services we continue to provide as much information from as many perspectives as possible so that affected landowners and other residents can make informed decisions regarding this project.  AMR is also an active partner with the Mountain Music Trail organization, a nonprofit organization helping to promote the local musicians and traditions of this region of the country.   Many of the members of the MMT have expressed their appreciation for the support they have received from the station, not only for their musical submissions, but also for the accompanying historical perspective that the musicians provide.   We are also actively involved in the planning process for the 2021 Bicentennial celebration in Pocahontas County.  AMR continues to see increases in the amount of listener engagement with our social media presence, both at our website and through other social media platforms.

Please describe any efforts (e.g. programming, production, engagement activities) you have made to investigate and/or meet the needs of minority and other diverse audiences (including, but not limited to, new immigrants, people for whom English is a second language and illiterate adults) during Fiscal Year 2018, and any plans you have made to meet the needs of these audiences during Fiscal Year 2019. If you regularly broadcast in a language other than English, please note the language broadcast.

The region served by Allegheny Mountain Radio is approximately 97% White/Non-Hispanic by population according to the census.  While we may lack racial diversity, we do recognize that there is a fair amount of social and educational diversity within the population, so AMR strives to provide a wide variety of entertainment, education and information to connect with all residents. Our educational youth programs are well received as is our tourism and cultural programming.  AMR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and women, minorities and Veterans are always encouraged to apply for all job openings.

Please assess the impact that your CPB funding had on your ability to serve your community. What were you able to do with your grant that you wouldn't be able to do if you didn't receive it?

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVMR is dependent upon CPB funding for a large percentage of its annual budget, roughly 50%, with the remainder coming from private donations and underwriting sales.  The station receives no financial assistance from the State of West Virginia and no assistance from the local governing bodies. Without this funding, it is unlikely that WVMR could continue to function and to provide the essential information and services that are critical to the residents of our area.

Describe your overall goals and approach to address identified community issues, needs, and interests through your station’s vital local services, such as multiplatform long and short-form content, digital and in-person engagement, education services, community information, partnership support, and other activities, and audiences you reached or new audiences you engaged.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS continued its strong interaction with the community by keeping listeners up to date and aware of local national and international happenings, via local news staff and larger news organization feeds. Two new local news stories air each weekday, combined with hourly state/national/international feeds during prime time listening. In addition to these, and shorter national segments of educational interest, four self-produced features each week inform listeners about health, agriculture, school activities and the arts. Multiple readings occur each day of updated weather forecasts, local community calendar items, school closings and delays, obituaries, and sporting events.

Describe key initiatives and the variety of partners with whom you collaborated, including other public media outlets, community nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, the business community, teachers and parents, etc. This will illustrate the many ways you’re connected across the community and engaged with other important organizations in the area.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS collaborated with multiple organizations throughout the year. The station works closely with law enforcement and school officials to relay critical information, such as road conditions and school closures, to listeners. Coordination with the Highland Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Committee and Highland County Fair association results in the promotion of activities for  Highland County’s two major events, the Maple Festival and annual County Fair, as well as promotion of smaller events produced by the Highland Arts Council and local civic organizations (Ruritans, Lions Club, Masons, etc). AMR/WVLS works with local health provider, the Highland Medical Center, to provide a weekly health segment, and with the school system to provide a weekly activity segment. The school system is also a partner in the Highland Mid-Kids Radio Club, an effort started three years ago and continued with staff and volunteer time to give interested students and introduction to media by producing and recording stories and PSA’s, along with monthly on-air broadcasting. We also work in close tandem with the printed media outlets in our areas on stories and announcements.

What impact did your key initiatives and partnerships have in your community? Describe any known measurable impact, such as increased awareness, learning or understanding about particular issues. Describe indicators of success, such as connecting people to needed resources or strengthening conversational ties across diverse neighborhoods. Did a partner see an increase in requests for related resources? Please include direct feedback from a partner(s) or from a person(s) served.

A disproportionate amount of the Highland County population is older, and tends to utilize older forms of communication versus newer platforms. This, combined with sparse cellular coverage, makes radio an especially potent avenue for informing the public, and increasing the impact of our programming. In addition, we do utilize a website and Facebook to mirror/extend our coverage. AMR/WVLS does have a Community Advisory Committee, made up of volunteers in the community, to assess community needs and recommend programming changes or additions. Due to our “local/rural” aspect, the staff and volunteers are intimately familiar with listeners, and receive and assess feedback frequently for improvement.

Please describe any efforts (e.g. programming, production, engagement activities) you have made to investigate and/or meet the needs of minority and other diverse audiences (including, but not limited to, new immigrants, people for whom English is a second language and illiterate adults) during Fiscal Year 2017, and any plans you have made to meet the needs of these audiences during Fiscal Year 2018. If you regularly broadcast in a language other than English, please note the language broadcast.

According to the 2010 census, the area served by Allegheny Mountain Radio is 97% White/Non-Hispanic, which skews efforts to meet minority and diversity needs. The board of directors, staff and volunteers are a broad mix of gender, age and economic and cultural backgrounds, which give a voice to all in programming/directional decision making.

Please assess the impact that your CPB funding had on your ability to serve your community. What were you able to do with your grant that you wouldn't be able to do if you didn't receive it?

CPB funding is critical to the continued services Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS provides for our community. The staff is a bare-bones operation as is, with 12 employees (nine full-time, three part-time) doing the work of manning three different physical locations and covering three counties. Equipment replacements/repair/upgrades are a constant need. The total annual budget of AMR is just over a half million dollars, and half of that is provided by CPB funds, with the other half coming from underwriting and donations. In our rural economically-challenged area, those underwriting and donations amounts are maxed out, meaning a loss of CPB funding would mean a loss of AMR/WVLS.

Describe your overall goals and approach to address identified community issues, needs, and interests through your station’s vital local services, such as multiplatform long and short-form content, digital and in-person engagement, education services, community information, partnership support, and other activities, and audiences you reached or new audiences you engaged.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS is a key provider of critical information to the community. Our news staff provides stories of local interest, including: coverage of governmental and school board meetings; stories of interest, such as the continuing coverage of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and a local murder trial; and human interest stories which reflect our unique community. At least two local news stories run on our network each weekday, and those are combined with national and international news feeds. Also, several internally produced short form features are broadcast each week, dealing with agriculture school activities, health, and the arts. The community is also kept informed by multiple readings of our community calendar, updated weather forecasts, school closings or delays and other weather related cancellations, obituaries, and sporting events.

Describe key initiatives and the variety of partners with whom you collaborated, including other public media outlets, community nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, the business community, teachers and parents, etc. This will illustrate the many ways you’re connected across the community and engaged with other important organizations in the area.

Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS works with a large number of partners in our local community, including:

  • School authorities and law enforcement, for delays, closures and emergency information.
  • Highland Humane Society for lost animal announcements and stories about animal care and adoption
  • Highland Chamber of Commerce for news and promotion of local events, including the county Maple Festival and Annual Fair.
  • Highland Historical Society for historical information relating to the county
  • Local civic organizations (Ruritan clubs, Lions club, etc) to promote events and activities for the benefit of the community
  • Virginia Cooperative Extension for farm and agriculture updates
  • The Highland Medical Center for features and stories related to health.

We are also very proud to work with the school system on the Highland Mid-Kids Radio Club, which meets twice a month at the school. The youths are also in the studio once a month for a two hour live broadcast, which utilizes the unique resource the station provides to the community not found in many other places in the nation.

What impact did your key initiatives and partnerships have in your community? Describe any known measurable impact, such as increased awareness, learning or understanding about particular issues. Describe indicators of success, such as connecting people to needed resources or strengthening conversational ties across diverse neighborhoods. Did a partner see an increase in requests for related resources? Please include direct feedback from a partner(s) or from a person(s) served.

A disproportionate amount of the Highland County population is older, and tends to utilize older forms of communication versus newer platforms. This, combined with sparse cellular coverage, makes radio an especially potent avenue for informing the public, and increasing the impact of our programming. In addition, we do utilize a website and Facebook to mirror/extend our coverage. AMR/WVLS does have a Community Advisory Committee, made up of volunteers in the community, to assess community needs and recommend programming changes or additions. Due to our “local/rural” aspect, the staff and volunteers are intimately familiar with listeners, and receive and assess feedback frequently for improvement

Please describe any efforts (e.g. programming, production, engagement activities) you have made to investigate and/or meet the needs of minority and other diverse audiences (including, but not limited to, new immigrants, people for whom English is a second language and illiterate adults) during Fiscal Year 2018, and any plans you have made to meet the needs of these audiences during Fiscal Year 2019. If you regularly broadcast in a language other than English, please note the language broadcast.

According to the 2010 census, the area served by Allegheny Mountain Radio is 97% White/Non-Hispanic, which skews efforts to meet minority and diversity needs. The board of directors, staff and volunteers are a broad mix of gender, age and economic and cultural backgrounds, which give a voice to all in programming/directional decision making.

Please assess the impact that your CPB funding had on your ability to serve your community. What were you able to do with your grant that you wouldn't be able to do if you didn't receive it?

CPB funding is critical to the continued services Allegheny Mountain Radio/WVLS provides for our community. The staff is a bare-bones operation as is, with 12 employees (nine full-time, three part-time) doing the work of manning three different physical locations and covering three counties. Equipment replacements/repair/upgrades are a constant need. The total annual budget of AMR is just over a half million dollars, and half of that is provided by CPB funds, with the other half coming from underwriting and donations. In our rural economically-challenged area, those underwriting and donations amounts are maxed out, meaning a loss of CPB funding would mean a loss of AMR/WVLS.

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