More Asheville-Greenville newspaper consolidation coming?

Jason Sandford January 30, 2009

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Sources tell Ashvegas that there will be more consolidation between Gannett’s newspaper here in Asheville, and the newspaper it owns in Greenville, S.C.

I don’t have details. But we’ve already seen the printing operation move from Asheville to Greenville. What could be next? Well, there are accounting and human resource functions that could move out of Asheville. Not sure about reporting functions, but anything and everything is on the table. Anybody have details?

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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5 Comments

Ash January 30, 2009

Thanks Jenny. The model certain makes sense for a company looking to continue to cut costs.

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Jenny Graves January 30, 2009

I know someone who is very senior who works at Gannett’s HQ in McLean, VA. He has told me that this is the "model" they are moving to in adjacent geographic markets like WNC and Upstate SC, and that our area is one of several that have been identified for the "bureau" model. This seems to make a lot of sense business-wise… we have already seen the start of this here and the editorial side will follow sooner rather than later. My Gannett source also says they are looking to sell real estate assets, so perhaps the art deco Citizen-Times building downtown will get a new use if it is sold and redeveloped. That parcel, along with the old printing plant on Sardis Rd. could fetch the company some much needed money. Not sure of the timing of all this, but things are definitely in the works. I’ll let you folks know if I learn any more info.

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Ash January 30, 2009

Hi Jenny,
Do you know this for fact, or are you making a prediction?

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Jenny Graves January 30, 2009

Asheville will soon become only a "Bureau" of a single daily newspaper covering Upstate SC and Western NC.

All Gannett needs in Asheville is a small staff of reporters and photographers. Literally all of the other newspaper functions, both editorial and administrative, will be based out of Greenville. This is the model the company is quickly moving to and it should all shake out over the next year.

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nm January 30, 2009

Think you hit the nail on the head.

In fact there is no reason why not everything but a couple reporters, photographers, and a couple acct reps can go.

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