The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times newspapers will have new ownership on December 30th.
Tri Comp Inc., publisher of Journal and Senior Times, and Cowles Company, a fourth-generation Spokane company with holdings in news, broadcasting, real estate, printing and other industries, announced that the Cowles subsidiary would own Tri Comp’s non-cash assets. to get
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Cowles Company also owns KNDU-TV, NBC’s Tri-City affiliate.
The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times will remain independent under Mid-Columbia Media Inc, a new subsidiary of the Cowles Company.
After a 27-year career, Richland journal president and founder Melanie Hoefer, who launched a monthly business-focused newspaper in late 2001, retired from publishing to focus on consulting work.
brand growth
The journal’s remaining five employees have been invited to remain on the board, and there are no immediate plans for that to change, said the longtime publisher of the bi-weekly Spokane Journal of Business, another subsidiary of the Cowles Company. As one Paul Reid said:
He has been with the Spokane Journal since its inception in 1986 and oversees its Kennewick-based operations.
Paul Reed
“I am impressed with the people and products of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow the brand and serve advertisers and readers. said Read. “They are building a great local product and our intention is to ensure that it remains integral to the market and contributes well to the market.”
Due to the ownership change, there are two title changes. Kristina Lord will be Executive Her Editor and Tiffany Lundstrom will be Associate Publisher of Ads. The two will direct the day-to-day operations of Tri-Cities.
humble beginnings
Hoefer founded Journal with a mission to unite the local business community and expand operations in Benton and Franklin counties.
Melanie Hefer
“We are humbled by our readers and advertisers who have supported the growth of the journal and, along with our talented staff, have helped make it the essential business resource it is today.
In 2013, Hoefer purchased the rights to Senior Times, a monthly magazine focused on news of interest to retirees.
Hoefer was honored for fostering community spirit and supporting entrepreneurs through his work with the Journal when he received the Richland Rotary Club’s Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award in 2014. The “Sammy” award is named after his Volpentest, who for nearly 50 years was a major driver of economic development, including co-founding the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC).
Each year, the Port of Benton, the Tricity Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tricity Research District, Hughes SPC, and TRIDEC select awards for self-motivated community leaders who guide, inspire others, and contribute to local entrepreneurship. .
In the 21 years since its first publication, the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business has tackled the news that drives the local economy, helping local business managers and owners stay abreast of issues that affect their bottom line. .
It’s Vol. 1, Issue 1 appeared in January 2002.
Front page featured articles on economic growth (“Local economies are strong”) and fuel costs (“Falling gas prices”).
In the first issue, Dr. Louis Zirkl’s SIGN Fracture Care International, a Richland non-profit that helps patients in the developing world, Q&A with business leaders on how they think about vitrifying Hanford, and more , touched on an article showing that the Tricity community is at its best. The project will affect their company.
The Real Estate Brief noted that Richland City Council has sold 51 acres to a California developer near Walmart for “Vintners Square.” That facility thrives today as a target-fixed supercenter.
Over the years, the journal has grown significantly, adding a strong online presence and a range of professional publications. This includes his two magazines, Fall Focus: Real Estate + Construction and Spring Focus: Agriculture + Viticulture. Professional publications on various topics. Annual Young Professionals Contest. Parade of Homes magazine in partnership with the Tri-Cities Home Builders Association.
Also popular is the company’s biannual Senior Times Expo, which attracts hundreds of visitors each spring and fall.
The journal has also won numerous awards over the years, including the 2015 Mid-Columbia Micro Business Award and the 2003 Mid-Columbia Young Business Award.
cowls company
By becoming a subsidiary of the Cowles Company, the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times will become a series of other news organizations, including Spokane’s The Spokesman-Review newspaper, the Spokane Journal of Business and several Fox and NBC stations. join the
Cowles, pronounced “Coles,” moved to Spokane in 1890 when William H. Cowles became the spokesman’s business manager. He later acquired Spokesperson and merged with his rival The Review.
Today, it is led by a sibling team of chairman Betsy Cowles, who leads the broadcast and real estate divisions, and president Stacey Cowles, who oversees the print division.
Stacey Cowles says: “Ultimately, we want to implement better internal tools for our staff that will help us grow our online and print offerings.”
The company conducts civic, arts, cultural and educational philanthropies through the Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation, established in 1944 to honor the memory of the founder’s wife.
I’m looking forward to
Hoefer plans to leave the media industry, but his passion for service continues. She launched a new company, Pathways Coaching & Consulting LLC. Through this company, we help families find appropriate treatment options for children in need of therapeutic intervention for myriad behavioral and mental health challenges.
Because insurance often doesn’t cover the cost of treatment programs, she donates a portion of her consulting fees to nonprofits in the field of helping families in need. We plan to add personal and business coaching services in the future.
“God has been preparing me for the transition to my next calling for some time, so I fully believe this is the right time,” Hoefer said. “We are confident that the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times are in the hands of experienced staff and are deeply committed to our mission of providing quality content and news to our community. I know there are.”