Nothing is constant except change

Nothing is constant except change. The phrase, attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus around 500 BCE, feels especially pertinent in today’s local media landscape. Last Friday, the Cape Gazette made a change. It was a change we knew we would have to make at some point, but circumstances beyond our control accelerated the move to a new printing press in Bellmawr, N.J.

On Jan. 12, we were informed that Delaware Printing Company, our primary printer for nearly 20 years, announced it would be closing its doors effective Feb. 10. Delaware Printing Company was operated by parent company Independent Newsmedia Inc. An email from Charlene Bisson, CEO of Independent Newsmedia, stated, “It was a difficult decision, but one that will be best for INI to remain sustainable for years to come.” We are sad to move our business out of state, but we were glad to hear their newspaper operations, including the Daily State News, will continue to serve readers across Delmarva.

This news was another brick in the wall that acts as a roadblock – or more like a toll booth – for local newspapers like the Cape Gazette. Over the past five years, the United States Postal Service has increased its periodical rates by more than 45%. The cost of paper has continued to rise as mills across North America close, and printing plates – now subject to a 50% aluminum tariff enacted late last year – have added significantly to the production costs of every edition.

Although we could do without these changes, our commitment to serving our readers and customers remains resolute. In just three days, we worked through the numerous logistics involved in setting up our print job on a new press. Our local overnight delivery crew jumped into action and made sure the Jan. 16 edition of the Cape Gazette was on newsstands and in the hands of mail carriers before the sun came up Friday morning.

The Cape Gazette remains a unicorn in the world of local media, serving a market with a hearty appetite for a local print newspaper while also supporting a website with millions of readers across the Mid-Atlantic. It speaks volumes about the vibrancy and appeal of the Cape Region – the community we were uniquely built to serve.

We truly believe that with the continued support of our readers, advertisers and community stakeholders, we will prove for years to come that communities are better off when they operate with a hometown newspaper. For now, we remain vigilant, involved and committed to keeping the Cape Gazette in print and in your hands, every Tuesday and Friday morning, celebrating the people and organizations that make the Cape Region special.