JACKSON, TN – Employment will be boosted at theJackson Sun’s printing facility in April when it begins printing its sister newspaper, The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, Laura Hollingsworth, president of the USA TODAY NETWORK–Tennessee announced on Tuesday at the Jackson Chamber.
Hollingsworth also announced the company plans to invest an estimated $500,000 to modernize the Jackson facility, located at 245 W. Lafayette, as the Sun assumes an increasingly important role for Gannett Co., Inc., which owns both newspapers, their associated digital products and operates the USA TODAY NETWORK. Renovations are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.
“This decision creates operational efficiencies for the Commercial Appeal, but the real benefit will be the significant improvement in product quality for ourMemphis-area readers,” said Hollingsworth. “The Jackson Sun houses and operates state-of-the-art press equipmentwhich is already busy both with our own products and very significant commercial work. We’re pleased to bring this additional investment into Jackson.”
The move to Jackson will be effective with the April 18 edition.
Recruitment efforts are underway for additional press operators in Jackson, Hollingsworth said.
“The creation of these jobs to Jackson emphasizes the potential in our community for companies to thrive,” said City of Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist. “Jackson offers many factors for success including a great location and a qualified workforce.”
“The Jackson Sun remains a strong supporter of our area for which we are thankful,” says Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris. “Because of their commitment to our community, Jackson-Madison County continues to advance economically.”
Newspapers around the U.S. are increasingly consolidating production facilities to increase efficiency. But this move will also dramatically improve the newspaper’s appearance because of Jackson’s modern presses, replacing 43-year-old units in Memphis.
Jackson’s presses offer dramatically more color capabilities for advertisers and superior print reproduction, which will result in a more vibrant, readable product.
“We’ve used these same presses my entire career,’’ said Louis Graham, Executive Editor of The Commercial Appeal, in his 38thyear at the newspaper. “Readers will instantly notice the difference.”
Graham, who also serves as Executive Editor of The Jackson Sun, said the announcement evidences an increasingly important role for Jackson in Gannett’s Tennessee strategy and the importance the company places on the Jackson community.
In addition to its strong print audience, the Sun is serving a dramatically growing number of readers across its suite of digital products. Unique visitors in 2016 increased by 26 percent, up to nearly a half-million a month.
Persons interested in applying for one of these new jobs can visit: http://www.gannett.com/careers/
