Not all small newspapers in southwestern Ontario are closing. One town just got a new one

Some southwestern Ontario newspaper publishers are bucking trends by continuing to print paper versions of small-town newspapers at a time when they say their communities need them more than ever. 

The state of small local papers has been under the microscope since the Sept. 15 layoffs of 600 people, including 68 journalists by Metroland Media Group. The company sought bankruptcy protection and closed 70 weekly community newspapers. 

"All of our history is best documented through our papers. While all of that is now documented on our Facebook pages, there's not a permanence to it or an objectivity that you find in the newspaper," said Deb Sholdice who runs North Huron Media.

Her eight person team puts out the North Huron Citizen, a newspaper that's been serving people in communities such as Blyth and Brussels for 38 years. 

"There's no one else who is going to council meetings to find out what's going on," Sholdice said.

But admittedly, she explains that keeping a print newspaper edition is costly and requires the support of the community. Metroland's closures were the result of financial losses the company said was caused by changing preferences of readers and advertisers.

"We are right in the community and we know what our readers want to read," Sholdice said. "I'm hoping that the people in the community see what happened to Metroland and their 70 community newspapers and 68 journalists and say, 'Oh yes, if we don't use it, we're going to lose it.'"

A new local paper opens

While some papers manage to stay afloat, one publisher is growing and even launched the first edition of a new newspaper this month.

Grant Haven Media operates five publications across southwestern Ontario, including the new Goderich Sun.

"Local newspapers are so important to protecting that feeling of community that, you know, we're not just individuals doing what's in our best interest, but we're kind of part of something greater," said owner Stewart Grant. 

When he first floated the idea of setting up shop for a local publication in Goderich on social media, Grant said the response was overwhelming. 

The twist on Grant's operation — and what he believes is what's kept his company afloat — is that his newspapers are free to read.

"The model had to change. You know, for years there was the paid model. Big companies have failed to adapt," he said. "If you have a free model, that means anybody can read the paper whether they pick it up at their local grocery store or coffee shop, or read it online."

That accessibility is what drive a large audience, which Grant says is attractive for advertisers, of which he's had enough to keep his newspapers running to date.

Moving forward, both Grant and Sholdice believe their publications will continue to be a valuable and necessary part of their communities.

"The small newspaper documents the life of a community in a way that social media just isn't going to," said Sholdice. "It keeps us connected in a different way."