Some of you may know that I joined the Board of Directors of LNP Media Group last fall. At the time, LNP Media Group governed LNP | LancasterOnline, a 231-year-old local newspaper structured as a for-profit B-Corp.
Little did I know then that I was joining a board that would oversee the complex transfer of LNP | LancasterOnline’s assets to a new nonprofit entity, Always Lancaster, by the start of the new year. It has been an instructive, intensive, and ultimately rewarding experience. A handful of people—most of whom were strangers to me at the start—worked together tirelessly to secure the future of our local paper. Through our work over those few months, I feel permanently bonded to these colleagues.
Today, the newspaper’s Interim Publisher, David Greene—another person I’ve recently met and who I now count as a close partner—published his vision for the new nonprofit.
Here is how I shared the news on LinkedIn (please re-share if you like!):
As a board member of LNP | LancasterOnline (Always Lancaster), I’m so glad to see this message from Interim Publisher David Greene that clearly maps out a vision for the future of our 231-year-old local newspaper. By transitioning to a reader-supported nonprofit model, LNP becomes fully accountable to the community.
This is just the beginning of a transformation that will ensure Lancaster County, PA remains a home to strong local journalism well into the future. Here are the pillars of David’s vision that will guide LNP forward:
- LOCAL: LNP should be a place where neighbors of all political persuasions can engage with one another to address local issues—issues that affect us all. LNP is committed to fostering focused conversation that makes our community better.
- TRANSPARENT: As a mission-driven nonprofit, LNP is required to be transparent with the public about its finances. In the same vein, LNP also wants your input: a new Community Advisory Board and county-wide listening tour will help ensure its products are exactly what our readers value.
- SUSTAINABLE: LNP is reducing annual costs by $5 million—including by moving to more appropriate location at 101 N. Queen St.—to ensure every possible dollar supports high-quality reporting. Additionally, by balancing advertising and subscriptions with a new focus on philanthropy, LNP positions itself to reinvest its earnings into high-quality reporting.
- FUTURE ORIENTED: David is serving as interim publisher while we launch a national search for a permanent CEO to oversee the newspaper's strategy in the future.
Local news that's accountable to the public is a public good. You can join me in supporting LNP’s mission by donating (https://lanc.news/donate), subscribing, or sharing your thoughts about local issues at upcoming community forums.
With the community, LNP is building a model for what local journalism can—and should—look like in the 21st century.
I was born in Lancaster County, and can trace my history here back multiple generations. My family is here, my son’s school is here, and now, an important experiment in local news is here.
I’m excited to have the privilege of participating in this local work; with any luck, we can secure the future of this newspaper for generations to come.
While I won’t bore you with every minor detail, I’ll be happy to share insights in this newsletter as we go.