The Erie County Cultural Capital Grant Program, designed to award cultural organizations with funding to help pay for capital improvements that might otherwise not be able to be completed, continues to make a positive impact on communities throughout the region. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz recently joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media President and CEO Tom Calderone, Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre, and representatives from the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning at the WNED PBS television studios to review work recently completed there.
With the support of the $177,210 in grant funding, Buffalo Toronto Public Media purchased a new HVAC system to replace a prior unit that had failed. The investment will ensure that WNED can keep their equipment properly safeguarded, which will allow for their programming to continue being distributed to their target audiences.
“These improvements to the Buffalo Toronto Public Media headquarters are another example of what our cultural capital grants are intended to do,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I’m a frequent viewer of the outstanding PBS programming that regularly airs on WNED. This grant represents how proud Erie County is to support WNED’s mission as the public broadcaster airing content for viewers in Western New York and beyond.”
“These grants are investments not only in our arts and cultural organizations but they are also an indicator in the confidence we have in people to help us continue to build a stronger Erie County,” said Legislator Lawrence Dupre. “This funding is being used to help small- and medium-sized entities pay one-time renovation, repair and construction costs for nonprofit groups and community-based organizations. In some cases, these investments are transformational. In this particular situation, I’m proud of Erie County’s ability to help protect WNED’s valuable equipment so they can continue to produce and broadcast their outstanding arts and culture-focused content.”
"Buffalo Toronto Public Media is deeply grateful for the Erie County Cultural Capital Grant Program and the leadership of County Executive Mark Poloncarz and the Erie County Legislature in supporting arts and cultural organizations across our region” said Tom Calderone, President and CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media. “This grant has allowed us to install a vital backup chiller, ensuring our ability to keep broadcasting and producing quality content to serve our community. As Western New York's only public media entity, we understand the importance of safeguarding the equipment that enables us to share the voices, stories, and artistic contributions of our community. We’re proud to not only produce arts and culture programming but also highlight the work of fellow local organizations like the Colored Musicians Club, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and North Park Theatre of Buffalo, whose efforts are essential to the cultural fabric of our region."
Buffalo Niagara Public Media’s audience includes residents of Western New York and Southern Ontario. Their public broadcasting media mission is to “engage our communities through exploration and entertainment – everywhere” and includes traditional television and radio broadcasts as well as numerous online ventures. Programming content includes WNED Classical, WBFO The Bridge, WNED PBS Kids, WNED PBS Passport, and WNED Create. The programming format celebrates diversity, embraces innovation, and values lifelong learning. Approximately 100 local residents are employed by Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
For more information:
About Buffalo Toronto Public Media and WNED PBS, visit https://www.wned.org
About the Department of Environment and Planning, visit https://www3.erie.gov/environment/
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