Investor Spotlight: Valley Free Radio

Meet Valley Free Radio, Northampton’s non-profit independent community radio station. The station is run and operated by volunteers, providing free training in live programming, broadcast equipment technology, digital audio production and editing to its members.

The idea of VFR arose in 2001 from a small committee comprised of Ed Russell who was an audio/recording engineer, pirate radio operator and the creator of locally-produced radio show, Active Ingredients, Will Hall, the founder of the nationally syndicated radio program, Madness Radio, Jackie Scalzo, a radio activist, and David Gowler, a local DJ of original Americana music. These four were inspired by the Prometheus Radio Project. A group of radio activists standing for media democracy by creating a network of non-commercial, community-based low power FM (LPFM) radio stations.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

20!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS!

Valley Free Radio is The Pioneer Valley’s Independent Community Radio Station featuring music and talk shows that are nationally syndicated or locally produced.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

The idea of VFR arose in 2001 from a small committee of 4 inspired by the Prometheus Radio Project. A group of radio activists standing for media democracy by creating a network of non-commercial, community-based low power FM (LPFM) radio stations.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS?

Valley Free Radio is a non-profit independent community radio station. The station is run and operated by volunteers, providing free training in live programming, broadcast equipment technology, digital audio production and editing to its members.