On October 30, 2013 WCNY President and CEO Robert J. Daino welcomed investors, partners and supporters to the new WCNY facility to celebrate their Grand Opening. The facility now officially functions as the space for the existing WCNY operations. It houses TV and Radio stations operations and related production offices- including two television studios, a studio for WCNY FM Station, as well as TV and Radio production area and support space. Participants of the Grand Opening celebration were able to tour the facility and witness firsthand the inner workings of the new public radio and TV station.
NMTC allocation was used to leverage grant and capital campaign funds to create the new broadcasting facility. Leveraged Funds include grants from New York State and Syracuse University, proceeds from WCNY capital campaign and a bridge loan from JP Morgan Chase. National Development Council and their subsidiary, HEDC New Markets, Inc. used $11.1 million of their Qualified Equity Investment in the $20.4 million project. This was combined with financing from Chase Bank. Additional NMTC allocation was provided by Enhanced Community Development, resulting in the creation of 300 construction jobs and 15 permanent jobs.
National Development Council’s Michael Cucchiara Tests the New Equipment
The WCNY Broadcast & Education Center contains a new Joint Master Control Facility that will serve as the central technical and content management hub for all nine PBS stations operating in NY State. Including the largest PBS station in the country, WNET in New York City.
WCNY is Central New York’s own member-supported public broadcasting station, the mission of WCNY is to serve as the voice for central New York and connect with and give back to the local community. They do this by inspiring, educating and entertaining the public programming that encourages a deep appreciation for diversity and shared humanity.
To meet their mission WCNY has incorporated many interactive displays into the new facility. Including an outdoor common area that houses a flat screen TV where surrounding neighborhoods can host events and enjoy PBS programming.
Courtyard Public Space for Community Events
Additionally, the third floor is dedicated to a children’s education center through an Enterprise America Program. The program creates a simulated city where middle and high school aged students learn how to become entrepreneurs. The program offers students real world learning and gives students a unique glimpse at adult life. They will focus on business and civic concepts, explore careers based in science, technology, engineering and math to prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce. In the simulated downtown city environment, students are assigned specific roles and play out real world situations in 5-hour simulations. It demonstrates to students why they are in school every day learning math, reading, writing, financial literacy, team work and critical thinking. The program services are available to 3,000 schools within two hour radius of WCNY with potential to reach a minimum of 700,000 student’s grades 5-9. This education system is modeled after a proven program that began in Kansas City and is available in cities across the US.
For more information about this program visit: http://enterpriseamerica.ocmboces.org/