2025 Grassroots Radio Conference host selected.

The GRC will be returning to the west and to a full-service FM station.

The Steering Committee for the Grassroots Radio Conference (GRC) has announced that they have awarded the bid for the 2025 GRC to Thin Air Community Radio, KYRS, Medical Lake (Spokane), Washington.

KYRS was among three potential host bids received along with KLEK-LP, Jonesboro, Arkansas and KOWN-LP, Omaha, Nebraska. In a survey, KYRS received nearly 47% of the vote with KLEK-LP and KOWN-LP nearly splitting the remaining votes.

According to the Steering Committee, the survey respondents favored ease and expense of travel along with a wealth of area attractions. The Committee also notes Thin Air’s established partnerships with local organizations, their team of volunteers and staff members as well as their station’s compliance.

This award of the bid will bring the GRC back to the western United States as well as back to its roots at a full-service FM station for the first time since 2018 when the GRC was hosted by KBOO in Portland, Oregon.

REC Networks had endorsed the KYRS bid based on various factors such as ease of travel accessibility, a well-established support base, broadcaster experience (KYRS was originally an LPFM that graduated to full-service) as well as the presence of state laws that will make every one feel welcome and more protected, especially in a time when certain groups are at an increased risk of systematic discrimination as well as their FCC compliance record. We also had a desire to see the GRC come back to a full-service FM station and also to the western United States.

The dates for the conference will be announced in the future by KYRS.

REC congratulates KYRS on their successful bid as well as to KLEK-LP and KOWN-LP for their very strong proposals.