LITTLE ROCK — The Log Cabin Democrat will move its offices into a historic federal building in downtown Conway while outsourcing printing operations, its publisher and editor announced Thursday.
Rick Fahr, speaking at the University of Central Arkansas in a speech streamed on The Cabin's website, said the newspaper aims to move into Federal Plaza before Toad Suck Daze in May. He said the new space offers better amenities, including allowing for the addition of a video studio.
The paper has contracted with The Courier in Russellville, meanwhile, for printing. About 10 distribution and press positions in Conway will be lost in the process, Fahr said, though some of those workers will be hired in other areas. He estimated a net loss of six jobs.
Fahr said the effort is part of a move to save money to "reinvest" in what he called increasingly popular digital products, including the paper's website and iPhone application.
"We're taking big strides at the Log Cabin and we believe that we're on the right track as far as being a community newspaper goes," Fahr said.
Fahr hinted at the changes, without revealing them, in a blog post Wednesday.
"Some will find a reason to poke holes in the plans," he wrote. "And there is no road map where we're going. There is more than a little best-guess faith that we're doing the right things.
"I firmly believe in what we're doing. This plan, this future is the reason I came here in 2007. Just took us about five years to make it happen."