Newspaper Competition Heats Up In Green County
New Newspaper Goes To Print, Despite Economy
Updated: 8:59 am CDT April 27, 2009
BRODHEAD, Wis. -- The economy has taken its toll on several newspapers across the nation, but one local area isn't following the pattern.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMany papers around the country have suffered everything from staff cuts to filing for bankruptcy because of a decrease in advertisement money as many head online for news. However, one Green County community is trying to buck that trend."It's a nervous excitement," said Gary Rosendahl, as he laid out the next edition of the Brodhead Free Press."We're just trying to bring back what we had," said Rosendahl.The new weekly paper serves 8,300 residents in six communities."They can't get their news any other way," he said. "We're talking about schools, sports, grade school."The Brodhead Free Press has competition for readers. The more established Independent Register also serves the same communities.Publishers of the Independent Register said that they weren't aware of the new competition in town."We definitely hope that both of them can make a go of it," said Nancy Sutherland, with the local Chamber of Commerce.But Sutherland said she worries there might be too much competition for advertising dollars."The bucks for advertising are being scrutinized by each business," said Sutherland. "So, I can see it being a problem and they're either going to go one way or the other I think."The Free Press officials said they hope to survive a business in distress and bring a small-town feel back to its community."We're small town people," said Rosendahl. "We know how small towns work and we're just trying to give the product and let the people decide if they want to support, if they're able to support it. I guess God willing we'll continue."The Brodhead Free Press said it had 41 advertisements before printing its first paper. Rosendahl said that's about what it needs to keep the paper going.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMany papers around the country have suffered everything from staff cuts to filing for bankruptcy because of a decrease in advertisement money as many head online for news. However, one Green County community is trying to buck that trend."It's a nervous excitement," said Gary Rosendahl, as he laid out the next edition of the Brodhead Free Press."We're just trying to bring back what we had," said Rosendahl.The new weekly paper serves 8,300 residents in six communities."They can't get their news any other way," he said. "We're talking about schools, sports, grade school."The Brodhead Free Press has competition for readers. The more established Independent Register also serves the same communities.Publishers of the Independent Register said that they weren't aware of the new competition in town."We definitely hope that both of them can make a go of it," said Nancy Sutherland, with the local Chamber of Commerce.But Sutherland said she worries there might be too much competition for advertising dollars."The bucks for advertising are being scrutinized by each business," said Sutherland. "So, I can see it being a problem and they're either going to go one way or the other I think."The Free Press officials said they hope to survive a business in distress and bring a small-town feel back to its community."We're small town people," said Rosendahl. "We know how small towns work and we're just trying to give the product and let the people decide if they want to support, if they're able to support it. I guess God willing we'll continue."The Brodhead Free Press said it had 41 advertisements before printing its first paper. Rosendahl said that's about what it needs to keep the paper going.Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
