MetroEast Community Media

What MetroEast Community Media does

MetroEast Community Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community media center founded in 1984 and headquartered in Gresham, Oregon. It operates as a public-access media organization serving East Multnomah County, distributing content through six cable channels reaching over 350,000 households. Its core offerings include fee-for-service video production, media education programs, and live and recorded broadcast of local government meetings, with more than 500 hours of government meeting coverage produced annually. The organization maintains professional recognition through 4+ Regional Emmy nominations and multiple Hometown Media Awards and NOTA awards.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across multiple streams. Tiered individual memberships priced at $25–$250 per year form a community-anchored base of more than 1,000 members. Fee-for-service video production serves schools, nonprofits, small businesses, and government clients. Corporate sponsorships include Northwest Natural and Unitus Community Credit Union. Government grant funding is drawn from Multnomah County, the cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village, the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, and the Oregon Arts Commission. Foundation grants are sourced from the Miller Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Saling Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, and Wyss Foundation. The organization also operates grant-funded community programs such as the BIPoC Contractor Program launched in 2020.

MetroEast produces original programming including the Food Foray docuseries (launched March 2024) and the Producers Corner podcast (launched May 2024), and introduced Affordable Video Production Packages in August 2024. In December 2024 the organization filed an FCC Translator Assignment, indicating pursuit of additional broadcast spectrum rights. The center operates with a co-executive director governance structure supported by a board that includes Julie Omelchuck, who joined in 2022.

Name

MetroEast Community Media

Legal name

MetroEast Community Media

Website

https://metroeast.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MetroEast Community Media is a nonprofit community media center in Gresham, Oregon, providing video production, media education, and cable broadcasting across six channels reaching 350,000+ households in East Multnomah County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Media Services

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Center & Audiovisual Lending Operations (Equipment Checkout, Production Support) (EDAEAGAG), State/Regional Public Broadcasting Networks & Consortia (MPABADAC)

Keywords

• Community media production
• Public access television
• Nonprofit video production
• Media education training
• Cable broadcasting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gresham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues at tiered price points ($25–$250/year) providing access to workshops, equipment checkout, studio access, edit suites, and cablecast submission rights. Primary recurring revenue from individual community members, families, nonprofits, and professionals.
2. Fee-for-Service Video Production: Paid video production services for nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and small businesses. Includes branded content, fundraising videos, documentaries, educational/instructional videos, PSAs, live events, virtual galas, and drone footage. Offered at low nonprofit rates; earnings reinvested into community programs.
3. Government Grants and Public Funding: Recurring grants and government support from Multnomah County, the cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village, the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, and others. Core operational funding for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
4. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations and corporate sponsorships from organizations like Northwest Natural and Unitus Community Credit Union. Funders and sponsors include foundations and corporations aligned with community media and digital equity missions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

MetroEast Community Media is a nonprofit community media center that provides fee-for-service video production, tiered membership-based access to professional production equipment and studios, training workshops, and broadcasts community-produced content across six cable TV channels reaching 350,000+ homes in the Portland metropolitan area. The organization operates a 1,600 sq ft multi-camera studio, an equipment library, training programs, and the Mobile Media Lab, serving East Multnomah County with an Emmy-nominated production team.

Product overview

MetroEast Community Media operates as a nonprofit community media center providing an integrated platform of media production, education, and distribution services. The core offering consists of professional video production services (with an Emmy-nominated team offering branded content, documentaries, fundraising videos, and virtual events), comprehensive membership programs with tiered access to equipment and facilities, and extensive training workshops ranging from core production classes to specialized topics. The organization extends its reach through dedicated programs including the BIPoC Contractor Video Production Program, Media Cohort Program, Internship Program, and Mobile Media Lab. Distribution occurs across six cable television channels reaching 350,000+ homes plus streaming platforms. Signature productions include the Food Foray docuseries, Producers Corner podcast, and Community Hotline talk show. Equipment access through the Cheqroom-managed library enables community members to produce professional content. The organization serves government transparency through meeting coverage and provides digital inclusion programming for underserved communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIPoC Contractor Program (BCP): A supervised learning experience in video production aimed to uplift marginalized creatives through career building opportunities.
• Food Foray
• Producers Corner
• Community Hotline
• Mobile Media Lab

Products and services

• Video Production Services Full-service video production studio specializing in helping organizations with a cause communicate their message. Emmy-nominated team provides branded content, fundraising videos, educational/instructional videos, documentaries, virtual events, nonprofit videos, PSAs, art/music videos, and live streaming for nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and small businesses.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership structure offering unlimited workshops, studio access, equipment access, edit suite access, and cablecast program submission. Levels include Student/Senior/Veteran/Disability ($25/year), Individual ($100/year), Family ($150/year), Nonprofit ($200/year for up to 4 employees), and Professional ($250/year with Black Magic camera access).
• Training Workshops Comprehensive video production training including Core Classes (Orientation, Field Camcorder HCX1, Basic Studio Camera, DSLR Photography & Videography, Basic Studio Control Room, Basic Editing Final Cut Pro X, Studio Switcher, Advanced Editing Final Cut Pro X, Studio Audio) and Additional Classes (Black Magic Ursa Mini Camera, Audio Booth, Virtual Sets, iPad & GoPro Production, Multi-Camera Field Production).
• Custom Workshops Custom-tailored workshops for organizations covering Film Workshops (composition, lighting, audio, social media sharing), Audio Workshops (podcasting, sound design, audio booth recording), and Intro to Social Media including VR filmmaking and iPhone/iPad production.
• BIPoC Contractor Video Production Program (BCP) Paid supervised learning experience in video production aimed at uplifting marginalized creatives through career building. Places participants in an apprentice pool for project-based work with MetroEast's Emmy-nominated production team.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ community members engaged annually through programming
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Gresham Barlow School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding educational partner. MetroEast covers Gresham-Barlow School Board meetings and partners on student media education programs, summer camps, after-school programs, and custom workshops for teachers.
• Reynolds School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding educational partner. MetroEast covers Reynolds School Board meetings and provides media education programs for students and teachers.
• Multnomah County LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for digital literacy and media programming. MetroEast partners with Multnomah County Library Rockwood Makerspace and participates in library-coordinated community initiatives.
• IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey community partner serving immigrant and refugee populations in East Multnomah County. MetroEast provides media education and programming in partnership with IRCO to reach diverse communities.
• Rockwood Preparatory AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing media education programs, workshops, and student media production opportunities in the Rockwood neighborhood.
• Centennial School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for media education programs serving students in the Centennial School District area of East Multnomah County.
• Open School EastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing alternative education media programming for students.
• Free GeekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity technology organization partner collaborating on digital inclusion and media literacy programming.
• Gresham Chamber of CommercemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLongstanding chamber partner. MetroEast is active in the Gresham Chamber and participates in the Government Affairs Council events. Chamber recognizes MetroEast as Gresham Nonprofit of the Year.
• West Columbia Gorge Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional chamber partner supporting MetroEast's community engagement in the East Multnomah County area.
• Portland Latin American Film FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArts and culture partner; MetroEast's POP Channel carries Portland Latin American Film Festival content, and organizations collaborate on programming.
• League of Women Voters - PortlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding production partner. MetroEast records and edits League of Women Voters public educational events (~8/year), candidate interviews for voters' guides, and produces promotional videos for the organization.
• Multnomah Bar FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal nonprofit partner for whom MetroEast has produced multiple award-winning videos and PSAs covering legal aid and access to justice topics.
• SnowCap Community CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity charity partner serving low-income residents in East Multnomah County; MetroEast supports their outreach and media needs.
• East Metro STEAM PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM education coalition partner providing cross-organizational collaboration on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math programming.
• Soroptimists Intl. of GreshamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's service organization production partner for whom MetroEast has produced promotional video content.
• POWGirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth empowerment organization partner providing media and digital literacy programming for girls and young women.
• Rosewood InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner in the Rockwood neighborhood providing wraparound services; MetroEast delivers media programming in partnership.
• Open Signal (Portland Community Media)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-branded programming partner on POP Channel and Community Access Network. Organizations share Switchboard online platform for recruiting crew and networking. Longstanding Portland metro community media collaboration.
• Willamette Falls Media CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity media center partner sharing the Community Access Network channel (Comcast 331/11, Frontier 22), extending reach of both organizations.
• Tualatin Valley Community TVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity media center partner sharing the Community Access Network channel, extending regional reach of community media programming.
• Division Midway AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness district alliance partner supporting economic development and community programming along the Division-Midway corridor.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Berkeley Community Media: Berkeley, CA nonprofit PEG access media center providing cable channel broadcasting, production training, equipment checkout, and digital equity programming to local residents — comparable community media mission and operating model.
• Cambridge Community Television (CCTV): Cambridge, MA nonprofit community media center operating PEG cable channels, training programs, and member production access — directly analogous to MetroEast's combined production-facility-broadcasting model in a different regional market.
• Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRTV): Grand Rapids, MI nonprofit community media center providing cable channel operation, production training, equipment access, and digital literacy programming — a direct community media center peer with a similar multi-program offering.
• Tualatin Valley Community TV: Tigard-area community media center that also shares the Community Access Network channel with MetroEast, providing comparable PEG access production and broadcasting services in greater Portland.
• Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN): New York City-based nonprofit community media center providing cable channel access, production training, equipment checkout, and facilities to Manhattan residents — a national benchmark for the PEG/community media center model MetroEast operates.
• Willamette Falls Media Center: Oregon City-based community media center that shares the Community Access Network channel (Comcast 331/11, Frontier 22) with MetroEast, extending both organizations' cable reach. Operates a comparable PEG/community access media model in the Portland metro.
• Open Signal: Portland-based nonprofit community media center operating PEG cable channels and production facilities; co-brands POP Channel and Community Access Network with MetroEast and shares the Switchboard crew-recruitment platform — the closest direct peer in the Portland metro.
• St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN): St. Paul, MN nonprofit community media center operating PEG cable channels, member access to production equipment, and media education programs — directly comparable mission and revenue model mix (grants + memberships + fee-for-service).

Broad incumbents

• Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB): Oregon's statewide PBS/NPR-style public broadcaster operating across radio, TV, and digital platforms. Overlaps with MetroEast on public-interest programming, digital equity, and government-related content, but at a much larger statewide scale rather than a single sub-region.

Emerging players

• Northwest Film Center / Portland Film Center: Portland-based nonprofit media arts organization providing filmmaking education, equipment access, and screenings — overlapping with MetroEast on training and community production access, but focused on independent cinema rather than community cable access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MetroEastCommunity
• Facebookfacebook.com/metroeastmedia
• Instagraminstagram.com/metroeastmedia
• Xx.com/metroeastmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metroeastmedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MetroEast Community Media