“The grant will directly support the costs for our television and radio content, enabling us to continue providing high-quality public media to our community,” said Alyson Amendola, WQLN’s vice president of advancement. “However, the funds serve as a temporary bridge to preserve local service and provide us with the time needed to identify long-term solutions.”<\/p>\n
WQLN \u2014 which operates a television station, radio station and website \u2014 lost 42% of its annual budget, or about $1.2 million a year, when Congress voted in July to stop all federal funding for public media<\/a>.<\/p>\n From October: As WQLN adjusts to budget cuts, donors step up with 185% increase during Erie Gives<\/a><\/p>\n Now WQLN officials have to find ways to operate long term on a reduced budget. They have already decided to sell WQLN’s 30,000-square-foot building, located off Peach Street in Summit Township.<\/p>\n WQLN officials haven’t chosen a new home<\/p>\n A new, smaller location won’t be selected until the current building sells. There are no plans to share space with another Erie broadcaster, Amendola said.<\/p>\n “We are taking 2026 to look at our internal operations and every variable expense,” Amendola said. “We have a lot of fixed costs that can’t be dismissed. We will conduct a scope of services study that we hope to complete in the spring.”<\/p>\n WQLN, Erie’s public media organization, has received a $751,647 bridge grant to continue operations.<\/p>\n One possibility is to split into two offices, one near the station’s antenna in Summit Township and another more closely located to community activities.<\/p>\n WQLN employs 19 full-time workers. The station has eliminated a corporate support position since federal funding ended.<\/p>\n Contact David Bruce at\u00a0dbruce@gannett.com<\/a>. Follow him on X\u00a0@ETNBruce<\/a>.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA’s WQLN receives $751,647 grant, eyes long-term future<\/a><\/p>\n![\"WQLN,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a8d42c32de46459afd56aa8323a6f0ce.jpeg\"\/)
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