South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) plans to build a new radio tower in Mitchell, SD by the summer of 2024. The Mitchell Republic reported the estimated price tag is $500,000.
The Mitchell station is a low-power FM translator transmitting on 90.9 MHz. The FCC granted the public broadcaster a new, full-power FM license in January so it could expand its coverage area. But SDPB realized another station’s tower overpowered the smaller structure, impeding transmission, according to SDBP Executive Director Julie Overgaard.
The new tower will enable it to upgrade to a full-power FM, according to the Mitchell Republic. “The new FM radio frequency will be upgraded to a 21,000-watt transmitter,” SeVern Ashes, head of engineering with SDPB, explained. He said the new tower would allow for better radio reception to Mitchell’s north, south, east, and west.
“Mitchell is one of the up-and-coming cities in South Dakota,” Overgaard told the Republic. “We have a big vision on how we want to get involved with communities and know what’s important to the people that live in this state, so we’re starting with something we know this city has needed for a while.”
Overgaard added that the SDBP would discuss a partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University regarding the installation of a station studio focused on community-based content. “There’s been a lot of growth here,” she said. “We want to try to continue that.”
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