Help QU support radio station
Read more: Local, Community, Education, Quincy University, Radio, WQUB, Quincy
QUINCY, ILL. -- (Quincy, Ill.) WQUB began as a 10-watt radio station in 1949 and has grown quite a bit in its 60 years of existence.
The station has always been a part of and has been mostly supported by Quincy University.
But as WQUB has became more of a community station, expenses have grown.
Now the university is looking for some help in funding the station.
KHQA's Jarod Wells found out more about the future of WQUB.
It takes $450,000 a year to operate WQUB. About 55%, or $235,000, comes from Quincy University. And the station continues to grow.
"What we have come upon is a time when it has become necessary for us to think of this as a community station, not just a station that is aligned with Quincy University," said WQUB Station Manager Bob Weirather.
Weirather says as a community station, WQUB wants to get community leaders more involved, in several aspects of the station.
"Thus we ought to ask for community partnerships, including financial assistance," said Weirather.
Quincy University provides WQUB with $150,000 in cash support each year. QU pitches in more money for things like office space and utilities, but the university hopes for some community assistance with that cash support.
"We would like to go out and select 10 partnerships, including one of those 10 to be Quincy University, to support the station," said Weirather.
WQUB went to the Quincy City Council to ask the city for help funding the station. That issue was tabled this past Monday. The city of Quincy told WQUB now it is not a good time to ask the city for money as it is $1.8 million in the red. The station has also gone to several other institutions as well.
"We've got one committed instiution and that's Blessing Hospital. We've also talked to some educational institutions around. We've not gotten a positive commitments. We've gotten positive feedback, they're interested, highly interested," said Weirather.
Weirather is hopeful some of those commitments will come in a few months. WQUB has reluctantly dropped several programs to cut down on expenses. And even though future funding sources may be unclear, Weirather is certain members of the Tri-States will be able to continue and turn the dials to 90.3 FM.
"We don't know quite where we're going to wind up, but the university is not going to cut us off, that is a given," said Weirather.
Station Manager Bob Weirather says WQUB is very helpful to the community.
It trains students in several aspects of the broadcasting field and many of the programs and shows on WQUB are also very beneficial to the public.
