Newspaper in step with community needs

Newspaper in step with community needs

Written by John Garrett Saturday, 10 September 2005

People said we were crazy when we first talked of creating a community newspaper that could not only impact the readers, but provide a venue for advertising that would reach thousands. But the idea persisted and we pursued it.

As we began pounding the pavement to meet local business owners and taxpayers, we found that our mission was in step with the needs of the community.

The people we spoke to said they wanted and needed a newspaper; a newspaper that reached everyone.

While sharing the stories we planned for the first issue, we received comments such as ‘I didn’t know IKEA was coming to Round Rock;’ and ‘where are those toll roads going, anyway?’.

Providing this information is useful to our readers – and their hunger for this type of information is clear.

While speaking with the business community, we realized the need to reach all consumers with stories of their products and services. With Community Impact, every local consumer and business owner is reached.

The research shows that as many as 65 percent of the 60,000 deliverable addresses in Pflugerville and Round Rock do not receive a newspaper. Delivering a free publication through the mail ensures that “everyone gets it.”

Our mission is clear: to provide Round Rock and Pflugerville residents and business owners with a free monthly publication. One that is full of news and information that impacts their lives, business and community; and bridges the communication gap between the citizenry and our elected public officials.

Some of the features we are excited to present each month include small business stories, community leader profiles, restaurant reviews, residential real estate data and news and notes from around the area.

Our emphasis is and shall be local. We live, work and shop in the paper’s delivery area. If you have any questions or ideas to help us improve our paper, please call 989-6808 or send an e-mail to jgarrett@impactnewspaper.com.

A new Web site allows everyone who wants a voice to have one. Community Forum can be viewed at www.impactnewspaper.com. As is expected, it’s free.

Publisher and Founder