In an effort to continue to help towns and communities in Mississippi have a local source for their news and a means by which to advertise, small-town natives and Mississippi businessmen Clay Mansell and Dr. Ryan Tracy are bringing The Leland Progress back to life. It will join their collection of Mississippi newspapers, dating to 2010, that also includes the twice-monthly Clinton Courier and seven other monthlies: Pelahatchie News; Wesson News; Canton News; Long Beach Breeze; Pearl News; Florence News and Richland News. The two also publish The Bolton News, The Pass Post and The Mississippi Monitor.
The papers follow a “Good news you can use” mission with a showcase of positive stories about the communities they serve. With the support of advertisers, papers can be picked up for free, distributed through racks in the community and across the county. Home delivery is available by subscription.
Mansell says that local business owners will have the opportunity for their business to be seen by more people than ever, because, with community support, “we will be printing triple the number of papers of the revived The Leland Progress.”
“We will also unlock the website, so the paper can be read for free online, anytime, from anywhere. This further expands the reach of local businesses’ advertising opportunities.”
Recent studies have shown that communities who lose their local newsrooms lose social bonds, notice less civic engagement, have decreased traffic to their businesses, experience an increase in misinformation, and can result in a government with less accountability.
Mansell says the paper’s website will be updated regularly with fresh stories, and a regular email newsletter will be implemented. Signup for the newsletter will also be completely free. Facebook will be used to actively cover the town’s news, as well.
Initially, The Leland Progress will be published monthly, and may increase in frequency with community and advertiser support.
Mansell and Tracy, active in civic organizations for decades, know the void of a town without its own written voice, and they strive to provide citizens with a way to display their city’s best opportunities and offerings through “hyper-local” publications. There, businesses and organizations find an avenue to advertise services and products directly to community and area residents.
Mansell credits Stephanie Patton, who ran the paper for almost fourteen years, for being able to bring back The Leland Progress.
“From our very first conversation, Stephanie has worked with us to ensure there was a way to get a paper back to Leland.”
“We are hopeful that the town realizes the importance of their paper, after going over a month without one,” says Mansell. “We are eager to show businesses how our model supports them and helps promote and grow their businesses.”
“We focus on the communities themselves and the people who work in those communities. That’s what people like to read about,” Mansell says. “That’s why our readers are automatically interested in the types of things that we write about.”
“It’s not a big city and a fast pace – it’s a different kind of living, and we like that.”
“Local is more personal – and also more trustworthy,” Mansell observes. “There’s a lot of human interest there; and, with a lot of mom- and pop-type businesses, a local paper is really good for them, too.”
“The depth and breadth of The Leland Progress’ success will, ultimately, come down to the community’s support and commitment to keeping their local newspaper as a viable part of the town,” says Mansell. “And we are happy to be a part of the efforts of making that happen.”