Letter to Norberto Esteves, Technical Staff Branch Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Helping to Secure Public Broadcasting Grant

Letter

August 22, 2013

Norberto Esteves
Technical Staff Branch Chief
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave. SW Room 2844
Washington, D.C. 20250-1550

Dear Mr. Esteves:

I am writing in support of an application submitted by West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority for a Rural Public Television Digital Transition Grant for $750,000. Although the central operating studio is located in the 2nd Congressional District which I represent, West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority serves all West Virginians of all ages and incomes with cultural, educational and entertaining programming.

The purpose of the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority's grant application is to assist the station in its transition to digital transmission. Currently, the station has 1980s equipment that can only be replaced in pieces, through dealers of vintage equipment in order to keep the systems operating. None of the current equipment will interface with newer equipment. As a result, a partial investment is not viable. A total renovation is necessary in order to provide a fully functioning digital facility that will support the transmission of national programming as well as the ability to produce quality local programming. Although West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority has demonstrated effective fundraising efforts, the agency is experiencing federal and state reductions that further impede its ability to fund this project on its own.

West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority is a vital educational asset and community partner. The station promotes a variety of disciplines in the world of arts, sciences and entertainment. In many ways it brings the world to West Virginia, and more recently has brought West Virginia's rich history to the world. As a result, I hope you will give this grant application every consideration for funding. If I can provide anything further, please feel free to contact me.

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