Register will cease printing on February 11

     Nine months after its launch, the Columbia Register is shutting down; the result of advertising revenue lower than necessary to sustain the paper’s operating costs.
     Employees of the weekly publication were informed in early January of the newspapers status and pending closure. The Columbia Register will publish its last issue on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010.
      From a job loss standpoint, the paper’s senior editor is impacted as well as five independent contributing writers, said Donna Anderson, president of On-Line Publishers, Inc., the paper’s publisher.
      "We began this journey last spring when the then Columbia Ledger, Elizabethtown Chronicle and Donegal Ledger were facing their final days. There was a strong outcry from the communities for someone to try to save their papers,” Anderson said. “We took this on hoping to sustain something that’s been a part of these communities for many years. We think we have a good paper and the feedback we receive is very positive. It's a big disappointment that it didn't work out."
     On-Line Publishers, Inc. also publishes 50plus Senior News in six surrounding counties as well as BusinessWoman and b magazine, regional publications. In addition to other niche publications, the company manages the 50plus Senior EXPO in central PA counties as well as hosts the PA State Senior Idol competition.
      "We never achieved the volume of advertising necessary to cover the cost of the publication. We thought combining the Columbia and Mount Joy markets would have enabled us to reach the levels we projected," Anderson said. "After nine months of trying, it’s painfully clear that during the current economic times, advertising at this level is not increasing and organizationally, we can no longer subsidize this piece.”

      Anderson further stated that current subscribers to the newspaper would receive a pro rated refund for the portion of the annual subscription they would not receive.  Reconciling all subscriber accounts and processing refund checks would be completed no later than the end of May.

From the entire team at On-Line Publishers, Inc., a heartfelt

"THANK YOU"

to all the advertisers and subscribers who supported the Columbia Register. Only through your commitment were we able to provide the community nine months of the publication.