Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center

EZ Spanish Media
Eddie Vega, Owner
Springdale, Arkansas

Sitting behind his desk in suit and tie, Eddie Vega epitomizes the media mogul. His company, EZ Spanish Media, is a conglomerate of radio, newspaper and concert promotion.

Vega contacted the UAF SBDC requesting assistance with the acquisition of an FCC license. The plan was to launch a 'round the clock digital signal Spanish radio station in northwest Arkansas. Tracey Jeffers, UAF SBDC Center Director, worked with Vega and his lender, Legacy National Bank, to develop the SBA guaranty loan package for the project.

In July 2005, KSEC 95.7 FM, "La Zeta" or "The Z," hit the air waves. The acquisition made Vega and his wife, Leticia, the first Hispanics in Arkansas to own a radio station. According to Vega, the radio station is doing better than expected. The new signal not only covers northwest Arkansas but also southern Missouri and northeast Oklahoma and is getting a huge response from listeners.

In addition to the radio station, Vega's company publishes La Prensa del Noreste de Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas' only Spanish-language newspaper. Vega also founded Aztlan Promotions, an EZ Spanish Media subsidiary that brings the top Spanish-language musicians in the U.S. and Mexico to the company's privately-owned concert venue, the Springdale Civic Center.

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