Chesapeake Sells Southern MD Papers

Under the agreement Gazette will add 10 non-daily publications and a Waldorf printing operation to its group of 46 community and military publications.

Included in the sale are the twice-weekly Maryland Independent in Charles County, the Enterpise in St. Mary’s County, and Recorder in Calvert County. Also included are weeklies Enquirer-Gazette in Prince George’s County, St. Charles Independent, LaPlata Independent, Southern Maryland Connector, South County Current, and two military publications, Flightline and Defense Contractor.

"Our Southern Maryland newspapers have been a great asset for Chesapeake," said Tom Bradlee, president and CEO of Chesapeake Publishing Corp. "The area has grown tremendously since we made our first investment there in the early 70’s. For the past decade it has been our fastest growing division."

Gazette Newspapers was not looking to buy, according to President and Publisher Chuck Lyons. The company currently publishes 35 community newspapers in Montgomery, Frederick and Prince George’s counties with a combined circulation of over 500,000, as well as 11 military publications.

"This was a nice fit to our market," Lyons said. "We weren’t out shopping. It was offered on the market and looked good."

Gazette said it does not have any plans to shut down any of its new publications.

Chesapeake Publishing is also selling 13 of its publication based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the Journal Register Company.

"The reason for the sale is, simply, we believe it’s a good time to capitalize on the investments we’ve made over the last 25 years outside of our home base on the Eastern Shore," said Bradlee.

Following the sales, Chesapeake Publishing will still own 20 newspapers, including two dailies, The Star Democrat in Easton and The Cecil Whig in Elkton, as well as four printing facilities on the Eastern Shore.