The newspaper business has been contracting for many years, but the process has accelerated recently, and the pandemic is making things even worse. The vacuum left in the media landscape is being filled by entrepreneurs, like us, who believe in the need for local news and hope to discover new business models.
The Chronicle was started in June 2014 to fill the gap left when the Star merged with the Southtown, and the newspaper H-F readers depended on for generations shifted its coverage focus west and northwest. We’re still in the process of developing a sustainable business, but one thing we’re sure of (and the experience of other news startup publishers confirms) is that reader support will be a cornerstone of success. Local news organizations that earn the trust and support of their communities will be able to serve those communities well for the long haul.
We believe every great community deserves a great newspaper. That’s our goal. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from local businesses and readers. We launched a paywall at the beginning of 2021 in order to keep the momentum going.
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Building a better newspaper in 2021 (Dec. 31, 2020)
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The year ahead: getting rid of an eyesore and becoming a ‘reporter supporter’ (Dec. 13, 2020)
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Chronicle plans paywall to keep local news flowing (Oct. 3, 2020)
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Readers to the rescue, helping the Chronicle thrive (July 1, 2020)
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Performing arts center on the horizon for Homewood (March 3, 2020)
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Arctic Dip event launches Chronicle’s Reporter Supporter campaign (Feb. 11, 2020)
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‘The Coat Lady’ brings warmth to those in need (Feb. 10, 2020)