CherryRoad Media acquired The Carrollton Democrat from Main Street Media, completing the transition of Main Street Media’s final Missouri newspaper title out of its portfolio.
With the sale finalized, Main Street Media said it will now operate newspapers exclusively in Kansas and Nebraska. The transaction hands stewardship of a long-running community publication to CherryRoad Media, which has built a multi-state footprint in local news since entering the sector in late 2020.
Founded in the late 1800s, The Carrollton Democrat has served Carrollton and surrounding communities in Carroll County for more than a century, providing local reporting, sports coverage, and community news. CherryRoad Media said it intends to maintain that role, emphasizing continued local journalism alongside operational approaches designed to support long-term viability.
CherryRoad Media began its newspaper expansion with the acquisition of the weekly Cook County (MN) News Herald and has since grown to newspapers in 18 states. Beyond ownership, the company also provides management services to other newspaper publishers.
CherryRoad Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of CherryRoad Technologies, a Parsippany, New Jersey-based technology company founded in 1983. CherryRoad Technologies provides technology solutions and systems integration services to large enterprise customers, with a focus on state and local government. CherryRoad’s leadership has framed the move into local news as an effort to support community journalism with technology-enabled solutions.
Dirks, Van Essen & April, a media mergers and acquisitions firm based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, represented Main Street Media in the transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.
KEY QUOTES:
“After more than 40 years with The Carrollton Democrat – first as an employee and later as its owner – it is bittersweet to let it go. As we searched for the right next steward of the paper, CherryRoad Media stood out as the best match, with a strong track record of keeping community newspapers alive and innovating during a challenging time for the industry.”
Frank Mercer, Publisher, Main Street Media
“Community newspapers are facing unprecedented challenges, but they remain vital to local democracy and civic life. Our approach is patient, responsible ownership – supporting strong local reporting while building sustainable operations that allow these papers to endure.”
Jeremy Gulban, CEO, CherryRoad Media
