Our family is in the midst of a giant leap of faith. The trek began more than a month ago when we entered negotiations to acquire another group of newspapers similar in numbers to the existing Magic Valley Publishing (MVP) group but larger in sales volume and staffs and circulation.
American Hometown Publishing chose to find new owners for its group of newspapers across the nation and I believed we were the logical choice to take on the Tennessee group.
I would be remiss if I didn’t toot our own horns.
As of April 1, MVP became owners of four more solid weekly newspapers and another strong shopper. Joining MVP are The Shoppers News based in Jackson (more notably known at the paper with all the car dealer advertising), The Wayne County News in Waynesboro, the Chester County Independent in Henderson, the Collierville Herald (Memphis area), and The Leader in Covington.
MVP stretched its boundaries from Linden to Memphis and up and down US 51 along the Mississippi River and from Metropolis, Ill. to Corinth, Miss.
MVP is now studying the operations of these newspapers and combining the best of what we presently do with what they have been successful with.
It has only been nine months since our last family growth when the Waverly News-Democrat, the Buffalo River Review in Linden and the Shoppers Guide in Humphreys County joined us.
I have to admit it is scary at times and at other times a real joy, and it could not be possible without God’s blessings accompanied by the tireless efforts of our sons Daniel and Matthew and the enthusiastic support of my wife, Lisa.
