BRYSON CITY, NC — A new radio station will soon take to the local air waves in the form of Swain County’s first FM station. WTIJ-FM was approved for 100 watts one year ago following the 2013 filing window opened by the Federal Communications Commission. This was to license low-powered, noncommercial FM stations to nonprofit organizations. Since that time, funds have been appropriated to complete the construction of the radio station. According to preliminary maps, WTIJ will cover most of Swain County and part of Jackson County, including the towns of Bryson City, Cherokee, and Whittier.
The broadcast facility will be co-located with Grace Christian Academy at 498 Arlington Avenue. “The studio space has already been constructed and more of our equipment is arriving on a daily basis”, Station Manager Robert Lowe said.
Lowe also said that the mission of WTIJ Radio would be to provide locally-oriented and community-centered programming to the citizens of Swain County. Going beyond local weather forecasts and community announcements, WTIJ plans to accomplish their mission in several ways, first, by providing “Fridays at Five”, a weekly, faith-based, community-affairs program. They have also made a large portion of their daily programming schedule available to area churches. With having both a performance area and an auditorium available for the station’s use, opportunities for the live broadcast of local musicians are possible on WTIJ. Daily reports from the local agricultural extension office and Federal-State Market News will be heard. Several “Radio Days” will be donated throughout the year to community organizations such as the Lion’s Club. Finally, WTIJ plans to develop and begin broadcasting news programs several times daily that focus on happenings within their coverage area.
WTIJ’s vision is to increase community awareness and showcase the relevance of community broadcasting in the 21st century. In addition to the objectives put forth in their mission statement, WTIJ hopes to become a “learning lab” of sorts, “a good opportunity, especially since the station is located within an educational institution”, Lowe said.
Although WTIJ missed their initial projected launch date in October, the station should be found on the radio dial at 100.7 FM by mid-November. They will broadcast music that is “Always Uplifting [and] Always Encouraging” as well as every moment of Swain County High School sports. WTIJ is currently broadcasting online and can be heard at www.swaincountyfm.com.
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