Grant funding helps support local news in Northumberland

Northumberland 89.7 FM Board of Directors Co-Chair Rebecca Kelly (left) and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini announce Ontario Trillium Foundation grant funding for the radio station.

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

Strengthening local news content and community voices in Northumberland County is the focus of a provincial grant. The Ontario Trillium Foundation sponsored Northumberland 89.7 FM through a year-long grant to expand news coverage and leadership positions.

“High quality local journalism is integral to keeping a community like ours connected,” said Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. Piccini remarked that as a youth he delivered local newspapers in Cobourg and Port, indicating the significance of local stories and local voices at a time when journalism was decreasing.

Over the past year, the grant covered staffing costs of a news director, executive director and purchasing some technical equipment. The Resilient Community Fund grant has helped to enhance the quality of local, impactful news stories, growing the volunteer base and engaging the community.

“Northumberland 89.7 FM delivers exceptional content to all those across Northumberland covering issues that matter most to our community,” Piccini said.

Northumberland 89.7 FM offers eight newscasts daily during the week and throughout the weekend, focused on local news. Articles are also available through our website at northumberland897.ca/news. Local interviews are aired on Northumberland @5. 

“The Ontario government grant has been critical to the station's long-term success,” explained Barry Walker, Chair of Northumberland 89.7 FM. “It has allowed us to continue to provide quality local news and be the heartbeat of cour community.”