Pamplin Media's Gresham Outlook press is located on Division in Gresham. Pamplin Media is partnering with The Columbian to assume all printing duties starting the middle of January.

Pamplin Media Group has entered into a partnership with The Columbian to take over the printing of Pamplin’s Portland metro weekly and monthly newspapers effective January 2024.

The change in printing will result in the closure of Pamplin Media’s Gresham Outlook printing facility and the layoff of approximately 20 employees.

“This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one,” said J. Brian Monihan, Pamplin Media Group publisher. “At a time when generating advertising revenue and growing our paid subscribers is challenging, finding additional ways to save on costs is imperative.

“We feel fortunate that we were able to create this new partnership with The Columbian which benefits both our companies. We were also pleased that some of our employees would have the opportunity to be hired at The Columbian. This was important to us not only for their families’ sake, but also to help assure a good transition of our publications on their presses.”

“The Columbian is a fourth-generation family business, and we have a good track record of printing other newspapers in Oregon,” said Ben Campbell, co-owner and publisher of The Columbian. “Our partnership with Pamplin Media Group is a step toward the preservation of local journalism in our communities, and we look forward to providing readers with quality printed newspapers.”

The Gresham Outlook printing facility has been responsible for printing close to 100 publications every month, including numerous high school, college and community newspapers from throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Pamplin Media’s own publications printed in Gresham totaled 20 weekly and monthly newspapers plus numerous special sections.

“I want to thank our many employees at our Gresham printing facility for their years of service,” said Monihan. “These dedicated individuals have helped us weather many economic storms, including most recently by managing the challenges related to COVID. I have the greatest respect for our press, pre-press and mailroom teams who work long hours, day and night, to make sure the presses roll, and our papers go out on time. These folks are truly amazing.”

With the closure of the Gresham printing facility, the press equipment will be sold and the building and property, located in downtown Gresham, will be up for sale.

“What’s important for our readers and our advertisers to understand is that this is a business decision necessary for us to position ourselves to grow in the future. Many newspapers like The Oregonian, Statesman Journal and The Bulletin have all made similar decisions,” Monihan said. “Even though some of our competitors will perceive this change as a weakness, nothing could be further from the truth. Our commitment to serving our local communities with Oregon’s best local news will not waver and we are more committed than ever to growing and improving all our products, print and digital.”

Pamplin Media’s Central Oregon press located in Prineville will continue to operate as is and will benefit from any press equipment upgrades available from the Gresham facility.