The proud tradition of newspapers being printed in Albury-Wodonga dating back 164 years will resume next month when The Border Mail printing site restarts.
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Shepparton-based McPherson Media Group has purchased The Border Mail print centre and adjacent offices in Wodonga with the newspaper to be printed locally again on Monday week.
The deal was clinched with Australian Community Media late Tuesday and will see The Border Mail, The Daily Advertiser, The Irrigator and Area News printed from Wodonga in addition to MMG's 13 mastheads including The Shepparton News, Corowa Free Press, Yarrawonga Chronicle, Benalla Ensign, The Pastoral Times, Cobram Courier, Kyabram Free Press and Riverine Herald.
The Shepparton print site will close, impacting about 25 jobs, but depending on the number of The Border Mail print staff who return after being stood down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some Goulburn Valley employees will be offered jobs in Wodonga.
"The Wodonga printing press has more capacity than ours and is also a younger press with a longer life," MMG executive chairman Ross McPherson said.
"We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't see an opportunity to expand the print volumes.
"We see ourselves as an option for all the independents and others to get printed by an outfit that has produced outstanding work over the years."
Wodonga print centre staff will be offered employment with MMG on the same terms and conditions and their entitlements will transfer.
ACM chief executive Allen Williams said the sale was an excellent outcome for ACM's print centre staff and wider community.
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"We are delighted that a firm as respected as MMG is taking on our Wodonga facility as a going concern and retaining the printing team," he said.
"This means that ACM newspapers, including The Border Mail, will continue to be printed at Wodonga."
Mr Williams said The Border Mail's editorial and advertising teams would continue to be based in the existing Wodonga office.
"The sale of the site would put newspapers such as The Border Mail and The Daily Advertiser in Wagga in an even stronger position to continue serving their communities with trusted journalism and advertising," he said.
"The Border Mail has a long and proud history of delivering and this move positions it solidly for the future.
"The dedicated printing team at Wodonga has delivered outstanding results for our publications for many years.
"We are grateful for their loyal service and we wish them well as they become part of the MMG team."
Editorial, advertising and administration staff will return to the office once COVID restrictions are eased.
The newspaper has been printed at Ballarat since the print centre was temporarily shut.
The Border Mail relocated to the purpose built Wodonga facility from Albury in 1999.