Newspapers serve as cornerstone of community business success and connectivity

Outside the People’s Press building on a warm day earlier this week, a group of a dozen or so excited individuals buzzed around the doors, chatting away and sharing stories and laughter in blue blazers.

These people represented the Owatonna Chamber Ambassadors, and they gathered that day to help us celebrate our sesquicentennial, recognizing our role in the community for the past 150 years.

The paper and the chamber have a strong foundation of partnership for a variety of reasons. At its very simplest base, Brad Meier is always good for an interview on the growth and development of Owatonna, as well as any new or shuttering businesses in town (in fact, there is an ongoing joke at this point that I can probably read his mind as I have interviewed him so many times).

But our relationship with the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism goes far beyond the casual interview for a business story. In fact, during that gathering of the ambassadors, it was revealed the People’s Press was the first ever chamber member.

And at the heart of it, it makes sense.

In the vibrant tapestry of local commerce, the local newspaper emerges as a linchpin, weaving together the intricate thread of the business community.

It is more than just a repository of news, it is a vital conduit through which businesses communicate their stories, innovations, obstacles and achievements. By offering a platform for local enterprises to share their milestones and challenges, the newspaper fosters a sense of connection and community.

Later this week, Bill Cronin — one of the three co-owners of Mineral Springs Brewery — expressed to me why he describes himself as a “huge advocate” for the local newspaper and its critical role it plays for him as a business owner.

“It’s true community fiber that we find in the paper and in the reporting that happens,” Cronin said, noting that business stories as well as the community page and calendar provide a constant source of information crucial to connecting people with their local businesses. “We have kind of grown up through things that have become public through the paper, and I don’t know what that would have been like otherwise.”

I had the privilege of meeting Cronin, as well as the other owners of MSB, when they first formalized their plans to open on Walnut Street prior to the pandemic. We’ve bonded over feeling like we have grown together, me moving from reporter to editor and them preparing to triple their size when they eventually open in the new ASCEND riverfront project.

What Cronin said, however, stuck with me. The paper, both print and online, not only heightens public awareness around our business community, but also cultivates a loyal customer base that values local engagement over distant, impersonal alternatives.

Moreover, the People’s Press serves as an essential forum for dialogue and collaboration within the business ecosystem. Through its pages, entrepreneurs and small business owners can discover new opportunities, from networking events to strategic partnerships. Advertising in the local newspaper, with its focused readership, allows businesses to target their marketing efforts precisely, while the shopper offers a chance to reach a broader audience. In this way, the newspaper not only champions local commerce but also sustains the economic vitality of the community it serves.

And you don’t have to take my word for it, the MSB crew knows it, too. In fact, they named a beer — the Darby Dark — after our founder, Benjamin E. Darby. A fun fact? Between ol’ Ben and I, we have written about every brewery ever to exist in Owatonna. The two currently open today, and the four during pre-prohibition.

Reach Associate Editor Annie Harman at 507-444-2378. ©Copyright 2024 APG Media of Southern Minnesota.