News Biz: ABC Newspapers Owners to Buy Sun Focus Publisher

The owners of the Sun Focus, Fridley's longstanding newspaper of record, have been approached by another publisher to sell its group of community-based papers. 

ECM Publishers, based in Coon Rapids, has signed a letter of intent to purchase Minnesota Sun Newspapers, a division of American Community Newspapers, with the transaction happening as soon as both sides reach an agreement. 

ECM publishes the "ABC" group of papers (Anoka, Blaine and Coon Rapids) in the northern suburbs.

According to a press released issued on Minnesota Sun's website, Minn Local, the transaction will combine a pair of suburban powerhouses:

"Both ECM and the Sun Group are composed of newspapers, shoppers, and websites. ECM publishes 15 newspapers and six shoppers with total weekly circulation of 155,000 and 191,000 respectively. The Sun Group publishes 32 newspapers and two shoppers with total weekly circulation of 357,000 and 38,000 respectively. ECM websites attract 1,000,000 page views a month, and Sun Group websites attract 461,000 page views per month."

Minnesota media pundits were already reacting to the news. MinnPost's David Brauer had news of the pending transaction and an interview with ECM's president on his blog this afternoon. 

Dirks, Van Essen & Murray based in New Mexico, represented American Community Newspapers in the transaction. ACN recently agreed to sell its holdings in Ohio, as well.