From what I remember reading when I dug into it, there's a group (or groups) dedicated solely to helping people get their permit for this. The FCC does not make it easy by any means, but when you know all the invisible hoops to jump through it can be done.
Can you run one of the new digital radio standards or are you required to broadcast the wideband FM signal?
The patent licensing for hdradio is rather expensive!
Hmm, so is that why almost no public radio stations have moved over to it? Everyone is waiting on the patents to expire first?