|
A Strong Community in Radio
Melissa Aguilera
print
Las Cruces is growing in size and numbers. Radio stations are just as important to the area’s growth and supporting local businesses as the rest of the community is.
Radio stations in Las Cruces are unique because they compete with the larger El Paso market. Las Cruces residents have the choice to listen to the El Paso stations. The Las Cruces stations know this but they like to focus on the people and the local businesses.
|
 |
|
|
|
Sabdy Pando / Staff Photographer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Radio of Las Cruces owns four out of the eight commercial stations. Ernesto Garcia, the General Manager of all four commercial stations, including Hot 103 FM, is a graduate of New Mexico State University.
“It is a sign of the times and it is exciting to have such a population growth.” Garcia said. “We like to be involved in the community so if it grows we have more opportunity to.”
Michael Smith, General Manager of 101 Gold, was excited to release the news that the station has been bought and will soon be bringing more stations to the area.
“I love the population growth because it allows for more listeners,” Smith said. “With the new stations we can bring more talent to the area too.”
The General Managers agree the competition is good for business.
John Powell from KMBN said, “I enjoy the opportunity to be among the options that people have here,” John Powell from KMBN said.
“Since we are a unique station the people who want to listen to oldies will,” Smith said
The community is the focus of many local stations. What the future holds due to the recent spurt in population has the stations excited about how they can be involved and how they can help with the potential of the area.
Garcia said the stations he represents are currently raising money for cancer research. The stations want people to know they are here for them.
“I don’t worry about El Paso. Let El Paso worry about El Paso and we can handle our local news and businesses here,” Garcia said.
The local radio stations feel there are two important parts to radio: the local businesses they can help support and the listeners. Without those two important things the stations wouldn’t exist. An interaction between the station and the community is crucial for the survival and growth of radio in Las Cruces.
|
