An upcoming FCC auction will include eight commercial FM frequencies in the Upper Midwest, seven of which had previously been awarded.
The allotments, listed below in detail, will be included in FCC Auction No. 117 in early 2027.
All of the allotments up for bid in the Upper Midwest are outside of rated markets. Four of the allotments were previously reserved for non-commercial use but switched to commercial allotments in 2022.
Here is a look at the allotments going up for bid:
Asbury, IA: 98.7, class A (6kW/100m), $20,000 opening bid. Dubuque market. A previous construction permit for a non-commercial station using this allotment expired in 2018.
Keosauqua, IA: 102.1, class C3 (25kW/100m), $15,000 opening bid. A previous construction permit for a non-commercial station using this allotment expired in 2018.
Rudd, IA: 101.5, class A (6kW/100m), $25,000 opening bid. Mason City market. A previous construction permit for a non-commercial station using this allotment expired in 2014.
Beulah, ND: 97.9, class A (6kW/100m), $3,500 opening bid. The first two construction permits issued for this allotment expired unbuilt in 1993 and 2000. A station then signed on using the allotment in 2008 but the FCC deleted its license in 2020 over questions about whether it had returned to the air by a deadline.
Medina, ND: 92.3, class C1 (100kW/299m), $15,000 opening bid. Jamestown market. Two previous construction permits for this allotment expired in 2009 and 2015.
Sarles, ND: 105.9, class C1 (100kW/299m), $7,500 opening bid. Area near the Manitoba border. Three previous construction permits for this allotment expired in 1991, 2008, and 2015.
Hayward, WI: 94.3, class C2 (50kW/150m), $15,000 opening bid. The FCC accepted applications for non-commercial use of this frequency in 2010 but the only application was dismissed due to deficiencies.
Laona, WI: 102.3, class C3 (25kW/100m), $5,000 opening bid. A previous construction permit for a non-commercial station using this allotment expired in 2014.
Notably, the auction will not include every vacant allotment, as there are a handful of others in the Upper Midwest that are not on the list.