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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2002 KVCR to Receive Commerce Department Funds for Station Upgrades
Department Distributes Funds Requested by Baca, Lewis WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced today that KVCR Channel 24 in San Bernardino would receive federal funds to help the station reach unserved areas, convert to digital services, and develop distance learning services. KVCR, which provides local pubic television programming to the Inland Empire, was one of 116 stations that were granted $42 million in federal funds. Both Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) and Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Somewhere) requested the funds as part of their Fiscal Year 2002 Commerce Department Appropiations requests. "I'm glad that KVCR will finally be receiving the funds that Congressman Lewis and I asked for," Baca said. "Hopefully with this federal support KVCR will be able to reach many of our neighbors who currently do not have access to public television programs, and will be able to bring their facilities in line with the latest digital technology." "I thank Congressman Lewis for his appropriations request for this grant as well, and appreciate his leadership on the Appropriations Committee," Baca said. "It's an example of how we can work in a bipartisan way to bring federal support and federal dollars home to the Inland Empire." The grants are administered as part of the Commerce Department's Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, which supports the expansion and improvement of public telecom services through matching grants for facilities that deliver educational and cultural programs. The Program was established in 1962, and has helped bring public television service to over 97 percent of the American public. # # # |
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