The Munising Beacon subscription drive is still in motion with expanded options to sign up this week.
Paper forms to sign up are now available at Putvin’s Drug Store, Hillside Party Store, Hillside East, Munising Flower Shop, Alger Parks and Recreation and the Munising School Public Library. Forms are expected this weekend at the Rock River Township Library.
“Our local demographics and high percentage of seasonal residency is not responding as well as we hoped with online-only signups. For a print paper to work, we’re going to need to appeal to every single person that cares about the local community, and there’s just too large of a break between those consistently on a computer or smartphone and those that are not,” Munising Beacon’s Brice Burge said. “Paper forms will help make it easier for people to sign up while also advertising more to those that are not getting the digital product. I can’t thank these businesses and organizations enough for their support.”
Forms have already led to an increase in signups, with roughly two percent of total signups coming from paper forms since being released on Tuesday.
Another way to help with the subscription drive is to buy sponsorships. The idea of a sponsorship came after a generous gift of $1,035 paid for 15 in-county subscriptions. Five of those subscriptions were awarded to families in Chatham, Munising and for educational opportunities at local schools.
Burge said that many people will buy a subscription as a birthday, holiday or graduation present, but that will take some time in print before it becomes a reliable part of the subscriber base.
“Buying subscriptions as a gift is a big factor in sustaining a local newspaper and a sponsorship like this is basically a gift to someone in the community. Whether it be for students and classrooms, veterans, social programs, as long as we can network people that would benefit from a newspaper with those that want to provide extra support, then we all win,” Burge said.
Those that would like to receive a sponsored subscription or those that want to sponsor other subscribers are asked to call Burge directly at 906-235-4958 or 906-207-1899 x1.
Subscriptions mailed to addresses in Alger County cost $69/year for 52 weekly editions. For those subscribers with addresses out of county will pay $79/year based on U.S. Postal Service guidelines and costs. Completed forms and a check can be dropped off at The Munising Beacon office in Alger Parks and Rec or mailed to:
The Munising Beacon
413 Maple Street
Suite 8
Munising, MI 49862
