Swift Communications, the parent company of The Park Record in Park City and other mountain town newspapers in the West, is selling its local media and publishing businesses to West Virginia-based Ogden Newspapers, the companies said in a joint release. Ogden Newspapers owns and publishes the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and the Daily Herald in Provo.
The deal is scheduled to close Dec. 31, and with the acquisition Ogden Newspapers will publish 54 daily newspapers and a number of weekly newspapers and magazines in 18 states.
Founded in 1975, the second- and third-generation family-owned Swift Communications has operated magazines, newspapers, websites, book publishing and other digital products in Western state cities. In addition to The Park Record, the company has operated The Aspen Times, Snowmass Sun, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Vail Daily, Summit Daily News, Steamboat Pilot, Craig Press and Sky-Hi News in Colorado, all of which are included in the current transaction. Also included are Swift publications and offices in Lake Tahoe and Grass Valley, California; and Carson City, Nevada.
“We are the proud successor owners of a great newspaper in The Park Record that has served its community so well for decades,” Robert Nutting, CEO of Ogden Newspapers, said. “The Park Record has a legacy of strong local journalism that we are privileged to continue.
“We are particularly excited to be working with a team at The Park Record that has been recognized as an innovator in community journalism. We’re sure we will learn much from the dedicated employees who will be joining our team.”
“The publications, communities and most of all, the great people who have been a part of our company since its founding in 1975 will be very much missed,” Bill Waters, CEO and chairman of the board of Swift Communications, said in the announcement. “We know the time has come to pass the baton of stewardship to new owners who can carry forward the important mission.”
Ogden will continue to operate the existing Swift publications under the name Swift Communications. After the close date, Swift will change its name to Questor Corp. Acres USA and Breaking Ground Institute will be part of Questor along with a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate properties in various states.
The Park Record has served Summit County since 1880, and it was purchased by Swift Communications in December of 2015.