The Bois Forte Tribal Council has decided to keep WELY-FM/94.5 and WELY/1450 (Ely) on the air for another three months after new potential buyers came forward.
The Council had announced earlier this month that WELY would go off the air June 1 after years of financial losses. An updated statement released Friday, May 27, said the stations will now remain on the air until at least Sept. 1.
“Let’s just hope a buyer steps up to the plate and saves the station,” Tribal Chair Cathy Chavers said in a news release. “Bois Forte has done all it can to keep the station alive, but now it’s time for someone else to keep WELY – The End of the Road Radio on the airwaves.”
The Timberjay recently reported on talks about transferring the station to the City of Ely and having the station operated by a non-profit group. A final deal has not been reached.
The Band has said that it has lost $1.7 million on WELY since buying the station in 2005. Friday’s news release says the Band has received many inquiries since announcing plans to close the station and is also planning to work with a commercial real estate broker.
WELY’s assets include a two-story building on Ely’s historic Chapman Street as well as its tower, on which AT&T is a tenant.