Ashland Newspaper To Shut Down Printing Press

Ashland’s newspaper is shutting down its printing press by the middle of October.

Ashland Daily Press publisher and general manager David LaPorte said they made a formal announcement to staff Thursday night.

“As of October 16, our printing operations and mailroom operations will be transferred to our Eau Claire printing facility that was purchased back in June,” he said.

LaPorte said the paper’s owner, Adams Publishing Group, made the decision for financial reasons.

“The newspaper business has become a tougher and tougher business as everyone knows,” he said. “From a financial standpoint, it’s the best thing for us to do as a company.”

LaPorte declined to comment on how many employees would be affected. But, a source close to the Daily Press said around 30 people will be impacted. LaPorte said staff have been offered the opportunity to transfer to printing locations in Eau Claire, Princeton and Cannon Valley.

“For those folks that it’s not in the deck of cards for them to be able to transfer or relocate, they will be offered severance,” he said.

LaPorte didn’t specify what type of severance employees would receive. He said they’ve asked staff to stay on through Nov. 1 to close out printing operations in Ashland. LaPorte said they’re also working with their commercial clients to meet deadlines for upcoming publications.