Belfast Community Radio announces it has reached nearly half its fundraising goal with the latest round of Founding Business Underwriters, including The Old Professor Bookshop, Sam Mitchell at Worth Real Estate, the Belfast Area Rotary Club, the Green Store, Belfast Adult Education, and Fiddlehead Artisan Supplies. These visionaries join those already signed on, including: Bangor Savings Bank, Casey Dowdell & Nancy Hinckley, Trillium Caterers, Waldo County General Hospital, Angela Hill, Dutch Chevrolet, Paul Sheridan, Daily Soup, Yo Mamma’s, Eat More Cheese, the UU Church of Belfast, and the Acupuncture Clinic of Rhonda Feiman.

Fundraising coordinator Erik Klausmeyer said he was delighted with the excitement being generated by the new station. “We’re entering the final weeks of the launch campaign,” he said, “and are looking to add names to the growing number of Founders. The distinction of being a Founder will mean those businesses will be known for years, decades to come as supporters of launching this valuable community resource.”

Events held have brought in substantial donations. On November 6, the Colonial Theater was host to a showing of “Radio Days, at which nearly $700 was raised for the cause. The Colonial joins supporter Geoff Gilchrist, who allowed the group to launch its fundraising efforts on October 14 at the former church, and the Belfast Co-op, who allowed the group to hold a tabling event in October.

All in all, the group has raised over $10,000 in cash and pledges, along with equipment for the station. Organizers expressed confidence that the station will be on the air before its FCC deadline in January of 2017. In fact, a dedicated group of volunteers, including local carpenter Derek Dejoy, assisted by Vic Tredwell, Marshall Rolerson, and Jennifer Hill, sound-proofed all four walls of the new studio located in Waterfall Arts with donated panels from Casey Dowdell. During the next few weeks, the studio will come together, as equipment donated by volunteers, community members, and WERU-FM is installed. At that time, the group will order the remaining necessary broadcast equipment and schedule an official “on air” date.

Businesses and individuals are urged to contribute as Founders before December 1. Tax deductible donations may be made at Belfast City Hall, at both Belfast branches of Bangor Savings Bank, and online at www.gofundme.com. For more information about the station, email the group at info@belfastcommunityradio.org, or check out upcoming activities at group’s website www.belfastcommunityradio.org or at Belfast Community Radio on Facebook.

November 10, 2016