On-Air Innovation: Radio Jefferson

In the January 2008 issue of Parks & Recreation, we featured an innovative solution to finding funding. When growing demand from neighboring communities and a needs-assessment survey revealed a call for more ballfields and recreation facilities, Ben Dillard, CPRP, director of the Jefferson (Ga.) Parks and Recreation Department, knew it was time to put forth a creative approach for securing additional funding.

His solution? An advertiser-supported radio station, whose profits would be used to fund future construction and programming.

By deploying such a strategy, reasoned Dillard, the agency could operate on its own income and not cost the taxpayers a dime. Listen to his recommendations for other agencies that might be considering similar solutions: