R.J. Malloy founded this project with the vision that we could Build Community through Open Communication in the North Port and surrounding area. Through the help of our many volunteers we are starting to see that vision come true.

Our profile would be wholly incomplete without some history of how all of this got started. Six years ago, four friends with diverse careers and backgrounds were exploring the meaning of life over a few beers at the pub and one of us (who shall remain unnamed) said, “Why don't we develop an internet radio station as a community organizing tool.” That sounds like a good idea today, but six years ago there was no such thing as “internet radio.” Music streaming was in its infancy and the technology to create a consistent streaming feed was non-existent. The few commercial web sites offering streaming suffered from limited bandwidth and limited total listeners. We were told that it just wasn't possible. Not to let facts dampen the dream, the group set about creating the software, hardware and process to produce an unlimited bandwidth feed. Three years later we were running a full duplex, stereo stream with unlimited bandwidth and no limit to the number of users.

Next up was programming. We believe that all community programming should originate in the community it serves. We were told that we would never get people to consistently produce shows. Not to let facts deter us, in six months we were running 24/7 programming and local music with 20+ volunteers. Today we have 30+ show hosts and volunteers. Then we were told we would never get enough listeners or donations. An inconvenient fact. Today we average 500+ local listeners per hour on the KDWRadio.com stream and 4,600 listeners per hour on our Irish World Radio project.

And finally, against the advice of experts, we opened The Common Grounds Meeting Hall, a premier, state-of-the-art performance hall with major folk, blues and Irish touring bands playing to standing room only. In just a short time, we have become a “must perform there” house for musicians touring the states from Ireland and we are a safe place for community meetings and classes. And it all started with four friends who ignored the facts and refused to dilute the vision of community

The Community Broadband Association Inc., is a non-profit, listener supported FM and internet broadband community radio station operating in North Port, Florida and is organized with the State of Florida as Community Broadband Association Inc.- a Non Profit Corporation.

By Building Community through Open Communication, the Community Broadband Association Inc., through WKDW 97.5 FM and KDWRadio.com, uses the power of broadcasting to reach out to our local community. Citizens are empowered to actively participate by volunteering their time and talents to communicating the important topics of the day affecting their everyday lives. We partner with Civic government, Non Profit organizations, charitable groups, the Performing Arts, and the Chamber business community.

In the short time since KDWRadio.com and now WKDW 97.5 FM Radio has been in existence we have seen tremendous growth and have made an impact on our community. We have seen that in our programming as well in the growth of our staff of volunteers.

Each week WKDW 97.5 FM and KDWRadio.com provides over 75 hours of community based and locally produced programming. Through our programs we are enriching the lives of our citizens, businesses, civic organizations, and educators in our community.

Programs that have impacted our community cover a variety of topics, from history, art and culture, business, music and culinary.