A company formed by publishers of four weekly Middle Georgia newspapers have cranked back up the presses in The Telegraph basement.
Macon Mayor Robert Reichert hosted a media gathering Wednesday at The Telegraph to officially announce the 19 jobs created by the move.
The Middle Georgia Printing Cooperative began printing six weeks ago, restarting the presses for the first time since The Telegraph moved its printing operation to Columbus two years ago. The paper is now printed in Atlanta by Gannett Co.
“The printing presses have come back to life,” the mayor said Wednesday.
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The new company was formed by Mark Smith of The Eatonton Messenger and Lake Oconee News, Walter and Laura Geiger of The Pike County Journal Reporter and The (Barnesville) Herald Gazette, Josh Lurie of The Jones County News and Will Davis of The Monroe County Reporter.
Butch Fowler, former production manager for The Telegraph, is general manager.
“When presses are shutting down across the country, it’s unusual for one to start up,” said Smith.
Reichert said the press “sounded like a dinosaur waking up,” according to Fowler.
The new company allows the “re-employment” of some of the almost 60 people laid off by The Telegraph in 2009.
“It’s a win for the employees. It’s a win for the city of Macon. It’s a win for the communities to have their newspapers printed here,” Reichert said.
To contact Rodney Manley, call 744-4623.
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