Shops, restaurants, hotels, and other service businesses are not the only ones collapsing due to the unprecedented social distancing measures taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. Newspapers have been affected, too. When a retail business closes and its customers stay home, it no longer needs to advertise, and other financial pressures can make a strong case for it to cancel its promotions. The loss of advertising, as great as 50% or worse for papers that serve small communities throughout the U.S., is causing many to shut down, creating so-called “news deserts,” news-free zones that lack the information citizens need to govern themselves and participate in the life of their communities.
We are therefore doubly grateful for the businesses that continue to advertise in the Press, and particularly for our sustaining advertisers and subscribers. In spite of the financial pain they themselves may be experiencing, their support keeps us going. We intend to reward their commitment by continuing to report and publish news of our town in spite of the crisis that threatens us all.
We encourage readers to patronize local business whenever possible. Let them know you appreciate their support of the Press
