• It Announces Results Of Its MX Threshold Fair Distribution Analysis

By Paul Mclane

Fifteen hopefuls are an important step closer to securing construction permits for new noncommercial educational FM stations.

The Federal Communications Commission released the results of a “threshold fair distribution analysis” of 15 groups of mutually exclusive applications from the recent filing window for new NCE FMs.

In each case, two applicants applied to serve separate communities. In each case the FCC tentatively has chosen one applicant over another after running them through a series of checks based on service area population data, tribal priority criteria and certain certifications from the applicants.

What emerges is this list of 15 applicants tentatively selected for CPs:

• Group 12: Community Broadcasting Inc. proposes to serve West Plains, Mo.
• Group 17: Arizona Board of Regents for Benefit of University of Arizona, to serve Safford, Ariz.
• Group 21: Cochise Community Radio Corp., to serve Virden, N.M.
• Group 52: Ethree Group Inc., to serve Key Colony Beach, Fla.
• Group 67: Elijah Radio, to serve Danville, Ga.
• Group 103: Torstrick Ministries Inc., to serve Harlan, Ky.
• Group 105: Christwood, to serve Covington, La.
• Group 108A: Central Pennsylvania Christian Institute Inc., to serve Greensburg, Pa.
• Group 119: Smile FM, to serve Litchfield, Mich.
• Group 120: Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting Inc., to serve Hutchinson. Minn.
• Group 125: The Association for Community Education Inc., to serve Windsor, Mo.
• Group 148: Gallup Public Radio, to serve Zuni Pueblo, N.M.
• Group 175: Missions Unlimited of Oregon, to serve Clinton, Okla.
• Group 208: Remante Broadcasting Network, to serve Moroni, Utah.
• Group 217: Spokane Public Radio, to serve Kettle Falls, Wash.

The FCC document spells out how it reached those tentative selections.

Petitions to deny may be filed within 30 days of the FCC’s order.

“It is our intention to grant each application if, after the 30-day petition to deny period has run, there is no substantial and material question concerning the grantability of the tentative selectee’s application,” the FCC wrote.