Bristol, Va. — June 3, 2026 — Four Appalachia-based public broadcasting and noncommercial news organizations are receiving critical support through the Appalachia Funders Network’s Rural News Fund, a program designed to reinforce local journalism and ensure long-term sustainability in the region.
Over two years, the eight-member cohort will benefit from $50,000 grants, repayable $50,000 grants, one-on-one mentorship, and regular peer meetings. Participants include West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Allegheny Mountain Radio, WMMT Mountain Community Radio, and the Appalachia + MidSouth Newsroom, a seven-station collaboration led by Louisville Public Media. Many outlets are using the funds to hire staff and upgrade equipment.
AFN Executive Director Ryan Eller emphasized the urgency: “We have an emergency-level situation when it comes to the decline in local news in our region. If we have strong local news that people can trust, it may be the first time in our region’s history where our narrative about Appalachia is defined by us.”
The program pairs technical assistance with business development support, helping outlets adapt their models to become more financially sustainable. Year two introduces a recoverable grant functioning like a 0% loan, offering flexible repayment options such as incremental payments or revenue-sharing.
Community radio stations are already seeing impact. Allegheny Mountain Radio used its grant to hire a part-time news director and upgrade equipment, while WMMT hired its first full-time reporter in three years. The Appalachia + MidSouth Newsroom is leveraging the grant to expand coverage by sharing reporting resources across its collaborative.
The Rural News Fund was created in response to AFN’s 2025 report highlighting the decline of local news and civic engagement in Central Appalachia. With support from the MacArthur Foundation’s Press Forward initiative, AFN expanded the cohort to eight members, ensuring a mix of public, nonprofit, and for-profit outlets.
Eller described the initiative as a vital experiment: “All of this is an experiment, but we’re confident in the model because it is data-driven and based on what we heard from the field. What we’re hoping to do is craft a model that really works well for rural communities across the nation.”
