Pass Herald launches Local Ink
Quality local journalism is the glue that binds a community together. For decades the Crowsnest Pass Herald has served as that glue by providing reliable reporting, thoughtful perspective and a consistent connection to the people and places that define our home. Today we are proud to share the next step in how we deliver that coverage with new subscription options and the launch of our new digital platform Local Ink.
The way people read news has changed dramatically. Readers want flexibility and choice. Some prefer the familiarity of print while others want the convenience of reading on a phone tablet or laptop. At the Herald we believe local journalism still matters deeply. What has changed is how we deliver it. That belief is what led us to expand our subscription options to better meet the needs of our readers.
Subscribers will now see three clear choices. A print only subscription remains available for local readers at $45 per year. A digital only subscription through Local Ink is available for $30 per year. For a nominal increase readers can now receive both the printed newspaper and full digital access for $60 per year. That is just $15 more than print alone and gives subscribers the best of both worlds.
Seniors also benefit from this expanded flexibility. A local senior print subscription is $40 per year while digital access remains $30. For just $15 more seniors can receive both print and digital for $50 annually. Readers outside the 50 kilometre area and international subscribers will have access to the same pricing structure, with digital subscriptions remaining affordable and combination subscriptions offering added value for a modest increase.
At the heart of this digital offering is Local Ink, a made in Canada platform, built specifically for community newspapers. Developed by a Canadian company, Local Ink was designed to help local papers grow and remain sustainable in a digital environment that often favours large national outlets.
Local Ink allows us to deliver a full interactive digital edition that mirrors the printed Herald. Readers can flip through pages zoom in one articles and read the paper exactly as it was laid out by our newsroom. It is the complete newspaper experience online rather than a collection of disconnected stories.
In addition to web access Local Ink subscribers will also have access to a downloadable app that can be installed on phones and tablets. This means subscribers can read the Herald anywhere at any time, whether at home, travelling or away for the winter. The app provides a convenient easy to use way to access the full digital paper with the same look and feel readers expect.
Behind the scenes Local Ink provides essential tools that help protect the future of local journalism. It allows us to manage subscriptions securely, understand how readers engage with our content, and provide meaningful data to local advertisers. That matters because advertising revenue keeps community newspapers alive and local businesses deserve clear proof their dollars are reaching local readers.
This platform helps level the playing field for independent newspapers. While major media companies have long had access to sophisticated digital tools, community papers have often been left behind. Local Ink was created specifically to change that by giving publications like the Herald the technology needed to compete without sacrificing editorial independence or local ownership.
It is important to emphasize that this move does not replace print. The Herald remains firmly committed to producing a strong weekly printed newspaper. What this expansion does is give readers more choice and ensures the paper remains accessible to everyone regardless of how they prefer to read.
Some readers love holding the paper in their hands and reading it cover to cover. Others want to open the app and read the paper first thing Wednesday morning. For a small additional cost, readers no longer have to choose between the two.
This is an important moment for the Herald. In an era dominated by social media algorithms and out of town platforms local journalism must adapt while staying rooted in the community. By introducing flexible subscription options and launching Local Ink we are investing in a future where the Crowsnest Pass Herald continues to inform, connect and serve our readers for years to come.
Local news matters. Our community deserves strong journalism and the freedom to choose how to access it. With our new subscription options and Local Ink we are proud to offer both.