WXPR Public Radio has been working for nearly two years on the “Hear the Future Campaign”. The campaign will result in four new production studios in a new location, plus funding a new position, Community Features Editor, to create new stories on the air and on the web.

According to Executive Director Mick Fiocchi, the station needs to raise an additional $60,000 to complete all of the goals of the campaign, but the first step has been taken. Remodeling has begun on the building at 28 North Stevens St. in downtown Rhinelander, that is the future home of WXPR.

According to Fiocchi, the station has raised $340,000 so far, plus a donation of 75 percent of the value of the building by Johnson and Houlihan Law Office. “We are deeply grateful to the community for the generosity that has brought us to this point,” he said.

Next steps? Fiocchi said the remodeling will be followed by installation of the studio equipment. The move into the new location is expected by the end of May. Then the station will begin a search for the Community Features Editor.

Once the project is fully realized, WXPR will be able to broadcast more live music events from the studio and bring stories from all around the Northwoods to its listeners.

For information about the campaign, call Fiocchi at (715) 362-6000.