We stand on the brink of a new age in electronic media. With a professional staff and dedicated leadership, our station can provide Michiana with the best quality programming delivered on the best quality signal. WNIT is uniquely poised to deliver state-of-the-art educational materials in a state-of-the-art learning environment.

However, WNIT's potential is restrained by an outdated facility, with limited space for audience participation and community involvement. In addition, our landlord, the Elkhart Community School Corporation, will end our lease July 1, 2008.

With an up-to-date, centrally located facility, vital new programs become possible:

• Media dedicated to the public interest - connecting leaders and citizens, teachers and students, artists and audiences.
• A training center - for emergency first responders, for students and interns, for parents and educators.
• Studio and meeting space - a forum for discussion and, debate for community-based problem solving in such fields as health, workforce development and public safety.
• Expanded Digital signals - the brilliance of high-definition television, bringing crystalline clarity into Michiana homes and the power of datacasting, bringing real-time assistance to police, medics and firefighters.

Our Vision for A Vibrant Community Center

The foundation of WNIT's success is our partnership with the community we serve. We are seeking to raise $6.5 million in public and private funding for the new WNIT communication center, Michiana's first building dedicated to public media.

• Where would Michiana be without public television?
• Michiana needs WNIT and WNIT needs a permanent home.
• Please join us in support of WNIT's mission to...

WNIT - More than Television
   - An Invaluable Community Resource

WNIT was specifically designed to respond to public needs in a way that marketplace forces could not. Positioned now at the crossroads of community life WNIT is...

• the only universally available television resource that educates, entertains, informs and inspires.
• provides commercial-free children's programming that parents trust above all others.
• serves all 1.3 million residents in 22 counties of northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan - 21% of whom live in rural areas without cable.
• supported by nearly 6,000 members - a true community-owned asset.
• produces seven local programs that reflect the life and history we treasure.
• led by an active, committed board of community leaders.
• well managed and financially sound.
• Michiana's gateway to the best of the world's culture.

Public broadcasting continues to be esteemed nationally as well as locally.
Recent nation-wide surveys confirm PBS as...

• the most trusted national institution.
• recognized as "an excellent use of tax dollars,"
  second only to the nation's military defense.
• provides the most trusted news and public affairs
  programs.
• maintains the most visited website in the world.
• watched by more viewers than any cable network.
• again chosen by the nation's educators as the top
  source of video in the classroom.

Business Case for the Campaign

• WNIT must leave its current space

• The Board of WNIT - with leaders from throughout the region - has carefully evaluated options for this station
• Over two years it conducted a regional search for a new location
• A five year pro-forma budget was done to identify the station's facility needs and business opportunities - independent of the site selection process
• WNIT considered all options: building, leasing, and renovation
• 13 proposals were narrowed to the three best options - one was in Elkhart, one was in Mishawaka, and one in South Bend
• In Elkhart, WNIT worked with the Mayor's office to develop the strongest proposal possible: The cost of the Elkhart site was 33% higher than the final selection. In Mishawaka, the cost of the site was 46% higher
• The selection of the Schurz Communications site was based on the most favorable financial impact on WNIT including:

• The present facility is 8,265 net square feet. The new facility will be 30,000 square feet of technically-adaptable space
• Renovation is needed to create community spaces and to upgrade to 21st century technology
• Costs of renovation are reasonable for a technical facility of this kind