The FCC has approved an LPFM construction permit for the Broadcast Learning Group (BLG) in Rhode Island, following a resolution of a previously raised objection. The nonprofit organization, which focuses on teaching broadcasting to youth and others for non-degree credit, applied for a new LPFM station during the 2023 filing window. Initially, BLG was part of a mutually exclusive group for a proposed station broadcasting on 96.5 FM in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

In December, Aaron Read filed an informal objection against BLG's application, arguing it should be dismissed for three reasons. First, Read claimed that BLG's designation as a tribal entity was unsupported by documentation. Second, he noted that BLG’s community presence, based on its incorporation date in late 2021, was less than two years prior to the application. Lastly, Read pointed out an error in BLG’s channel availability study, which referred to 95.1 FM instead of the proposed 96.5 FM frequency.

BLG addressed the issues in its opposition letter, acknowledging the errors in its application. The nonprofit explained that the tribal point claim was due to inexperience with the FCC’s filing process and admitted the incorrect channel number in its engineering exhibit. In response, BLG amended its application in October, formally requesting to broadcast on 95.1 FM, as permitted by the FCC’s guidelines for major amendments to pending LPFM applications until Dec. 16, 2023.

The FCC's Media Bureau ruled in favor of BLG, approving the amendment and granting the application for a 95.1 FM construction permit. Since BLG's application now stands as a singleton, the FCC no longer needed to evaluate its claimed points. The Bureau also determined that the station would not cause interference to Providence’s 95.5 WLVO(FM), a Class B station.

BLG’s new transmitting facility will be located near a shopping center on Diamond Hill Road in Woonsocket, just south of the Rhode Island/Massachusetts border. The nonprofit aims to use the station to provide educational opportunities for the Woonsocket community in creating broadcast content.