Bozeman, Mont.
Owner: Pioneer Newspapers Inc.
Date: July 30, 2008
Six full-time and three part-time employees will be laid off. Three of those employees will be from the newsroom.
Source: Forbes
Citing economy, Montana newspaper reduces staff
Associated Press
07.30.08, 5:23 PM ETBOZEMAN, Mont. — The Bozeman Daily Chronicle has announced it will lay off six full-time and three part-time employees.
The newspaper, the fourth largest in Montana, currently employs 138 people. The layoffs equal about 6.5 percent of the newspaper’s staff and include three people from the newsroom.
“This was a very difficult decision, but current economic conditions left us no choice,” said Stephanie Pressly, the newspaper’s publisher. “Though we think the economy is cyclical and hope these cutbacks are temporary, our industry is also changing and we have to be proactive in addressing that.”
Along with the layoffs, the newspaper will hold nine positions open. Two of those are in the newsroom.
In announcing the decision, the newspaper noted advertising comprises 75 percent of its operating revenue.
“We started the year strong, but the second quarter showed a dramatic downturn,” Pressly said. “With reduced consumer spending, businesses have cut back on advertising.”
The newspaper has an average daily circulation of 18,165, according to estimates compiled by the Montana Newspaper Association. The newspaper’s Sunday circulation is 19,028.
The Chronicle’s parent company, Big Sky Publishing, also owns the Belgrade News, the Lone Peak Lookout in Big Sky, the West Yellowstone News and Montana Quarterly magazine.
