An Ellsworth-based nonprofit has announced a $1 million fundraising campaign to purchase a collection of Hancock County’s weekly newspapers. The Acadia Newspaper Trust, a recently established local organization, stated Wednesday its intention to acquire the Ellsworth American, Mount Desert Islander, and the Bangor Historian from Maine newspaper businessman Reade Brower by the summer of 2027. This proposed acquisition represents the latest effort to place local journalistic institutions under nonprofit ownership, a model gaining traction in the region.
The $1 million goal set by the Acadia Newspaper Trust is intended to cover both the acquisition of the three newspapers and initial operating costs. Reade Brower, who currently owns the Midcoast Villager, is reportedly retiring, according to the American. Brower previously sold 22 of his daily and weekly newspapers, including the Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal, to The Maine Trust for Local News in 2023, marking a significant shift in Maine’s media landscape.
The new trust has affirmed that the editorial independence of the newspapers would be maintained and remain distinct from the nonprofit’s fundraising activities. This announcement follows staff layoffs at both the Ellsworth American and the Mount Desert Islander in mid-August, providing context for the discussions around the outlets' future.
The Ellsworth American, the largest and oldest newspaper targeted in the trust's plan, has been continuously published since 1851. The Mount Desert Islander was founded in 2001 by Alan Baker, a former owner and publisher of the American, connecting the two publications historically. Together, the American and the Islander distribute approximately 8,000 print copies weekly and serve 6,000 digital subscribers, reaching communities across Mount Desert Island and beyond. The Bangor Historian, which focuses on historical stories for the greater Bangor area, distributes about 26,000 copies weekly, according to the nonprofit. Across the three outlets, 39 individuals are employed throughout Hancock County.
The Acadia Newspaper Trust plans to raise the necessary funds through a variety of channels, including gifts, pledges, grants, and community partnerships. The ultimate aim is to transition these outlets from a for-profit structure to nonprofit operations, ensuring their long-term viability and community focus. To build support and raise awareness for this transition, the trust is scheduled to host a community event on October 29 at Fogtown Brewing Company in Ellsworth.