Public Radio's KCHO Receives $30,000 Bonus Grant

For the third year in a row, California State University, Chico's public radio service, KCHO, has been selected to receive a bonus grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for efficiency. The award comes as a cash bonus of $30,000.

Applicants must demonstrate that they actively employ efficient technical, programming, collaborative or online approaches that provide a measurable and sustainable financial benefit.

KCHO, the flagship of public radio in the North state, moved its program guide online and saved almost $10,000 during the past year. KCHO operates cooperatively with public television station KIXE in Redding. That cooperation increases efficiency and cost savings.

With the Redding public radio station, KFPR (the other half of Northstate Public Radio), KCHO staff developed a service for the rapidly growing Mien population in the Redding area.

Northstate Public Radio plans to continue increasing efficiency and service. "We want to increase service to minority populations in Shasta County," said Jack Brown, general manager of Northstate Public Radio, KCHO and KFPR. "We also plan to improve our online service. One idea is to offer two separate programming streams via Web sites www.KCHO.org and www.KFPR.org."

KCHO is a full-time station offering public radio programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. More than 100 volunteers keep the station running. KCHO employs five full-time staff and five part-time staff members.

The programming consists primarily of news and information, classical music, jazz and entertainment programs such as Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."

The station is part of the College of Communication and Education and operates from the basement of the Meriam Library on the CSU, Chico campus. The station is moving toward the end of a capital campaign to relocate to a larger and much improved technological facility in downtown Chico.

Contact: Kathleen McPartland, (530) 898-4260