WTIP Community Radio announces building purchase

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. Nov 15, 2007-- WTIP Community Radio is pleased to announce the purchase today of a building that will be converted into studio and office space to house the local radio station. The station purchased the former "Wilderness Waters" building, at the west end of Grand Marais at 1712 W. Hwy. 61.

"The station is really excited about this," says Deb Benedict, station manager. "This has been a long time coming and everyone involved, including the board, many community members, and other stations, have guided us and encouraged us to take this step. We realize that having our own space is essential to our continued service and growth."

WTIP's five staff members and nearly 80 volunteers currently operate out of two small studios, a shared office space, and a converted storage closet spread out in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and totaling just over 1,000 square feet. "We have simply outgrown the space," says Benedict. "We don't have room to install the equipment we need to ensure broadcast reliability, and the space we do have is spread out, so it makes it difficult to operate as a cohesive organization." The new building will more than double the station’s current size.

WTIP has been on the air for nearly 10 years, and until now has not had a permanent home. The new building will provide a single, permanent space for the station’s operations. It will allow for a larger news department, another production studio, an area where hosts can prepare and preview material for their shows, and more room for in-studio guests. "The building will allow the staff and volunteers to operate out of a more unified and cohesive space, which will help with our internal communication and operations," says Benedict. "It will also allow us to house more broadcast equipment, including our own back-up generator on site."

WTIP plans to begin renovations in December and move into the building in the spring of 2008. "I think this building will help secure WTIP’s permanence in the community," says Dehlia Seim, President of the Board. "We provide a valuable service, and we are working to make sure that our service remains strong into the future." More information about WTIP is available online at www.wtip.org or by calling (218) 387-1070.