“Ultimately, the Peace Region has a strong foundation, and there are a number of potential economic opportunities ahead. Our role as a local media business is to continue informing the community as those opportunities, projects and decisions develop.” - Lindsay Parenteau and Jonathan Babiy

The Peace Region is home to talented people, thriving businesses and strong community organizations. Through our Energy Lives Here series, we’re introducing some of the local people and businesses Energy Alberta works with as we connect with communities and advance the Peace River Nuclear Power Project.

Keeping the Peace Region Connected

For more than 70 years, Peace River Broadcasting has been part of the region’s story.

Home to River Country and KIX FM, the locally and independently owned radio network reaches communities across the Peace and Mackenzie Regions with local news, information, entertainment and music.

Today, the company is owned by Jonathan Babiy and Lindsay Parenteau, two lifelong Peace Region residents whose connection to the business goes back to childhood.

Their parents were former owners of Peace River Broadcasting. After graduating, Jonathan headed to Edmonton to study business while Lindsay completed a broadcasting program in Calgary. Both eventually returned home, joined the family business and, nearly five years ago, became its owners.

For Jonathan and Lindsay, staying local is central to how they do business.

“It is rare to go out around town and not run into someone you know. Many of the businesses we work with are more than just clients - they are our friends, neighbours and fellow community members. That connection gives us a unique perspective on the issues and opportunities affecting the region.”

Local Media in a Changing Landscape

While radio remains at the heart of Peace River Broadcasting, the business has evolved alongside the media landscape.

Today, the team offers marketing services across radio, online advertising, social media, billboards and video production - giving businesses and organizations access to a range of services right here in the region.

That local connection matters. Dollars spent with locally owned businesses can support local jobs, services and economic activity while helping build capacity within the region.

Working with Energy Alberta - in Two Distinct Roles

Peace River Broadcasting’s relationship with Energy Alberta has two separate sides.

As an independent local news organization, its newsroom reports on the Peace River Nuclear Power Project as a significant regional story - covering developments, different perspectives and the regulatory and assessment processes as they unfold.

Separately, as a commercial advertising and marketing business, Peace River Broadcasting works with Energy Alberta on advertising campaigns, including promoting public engagement opportunities, open houses and community initiatives.

Peace River Broadcasting is clear about the distinction.

“Our advertising work and our news coverage are separate functions. Our responsibility as a local news organization is to provide our audience with accurate information and coverage of developments as they occur, while our role as a local advertising medium is to provide our clients with ad creation services and an audience for their message.”

A Region with Opportunity - and Questions to Consider

Having spent most of their lives in the Peace Region, Jonathan and Lindsay have seen both its resilience and its potential.

They point to a diversified economy, skilled workforce and strong base of local businesses as important foundations for the region.

If the Peace River Nuclear Power Project is approved, they see the potential for increased demand for local goods and services, employment, population growth and new investment. They also recognize that growth can bring challenges, including pressures on housing, infrastructure, the workforce and community services.

Those opportunities and potential effects are among the issues being considered as the Project moves through regulatory assessment, and community and Indigenous engagement.

‍Keeping it Local

For Jonathan and Lindsay, the best part of doing business in the Peace Region comes back to the relationships they have built here.

After more than 15 years working with Peace River Broadcasting - and more than three decades calling the region home - they remain focused on keeping local voices, local stories and local connections at the centre of their business.

That’s something worth tuning into.

Stay Connected with Peace River Broadcasting:

Facebook Page: Face For Radio

Instagram Page: Face For Radio

River Country Website: RiverCountry.fm

KIX FM Website: KIX.fm

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