The papers are not dead yet!
That was the word Monday from elected officials from Bristol, New Britain, and other local communities who are trying to save the Bristol Press, the New Britain Herald and several weekly papers that face the possibility of shutting down on Jan. 12.
The Journal Register Corporation owns all of the newspapers and notified employees in early November that the papers were in grave danger of closing.
Joan McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, updated lawmakers Monday on her agency's attempts to find prospective buyers.
Her agency sent 16 letters out, including to three media companies in Connecticut and received five responses. The state, she said, is in a position to offer low-interest loans and technical assistance to the buyers.
McDonald said she is guardedly optimistic that some kind of deal could be reached.
It's now up to the newspaper publisher to negotiate with potential buyers.
Business
Meanwhile, Bristol Mayor Arthur Ward and New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart said they spoke with another possible buyer, separate from those contacted by DECD, who appeared strongly interested in buying one, or both, dailies. The mayors buyers said their contact appeared to be the best chance yet of finding a buyer for the Press and the Herald.
