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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will stop printing newspapers on December 31

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, August 28th 2025 at 13:54 GMT by Channel 3000
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution to Halt Print Operations on December 31, 2023 – A Legacy Ended

In a move that signals the end of an era for print journalism in the South, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) announced today that its long‑running printing plant will cease operations on December 31, 2023. The decision, made by the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett, marks the first time in nearly a century that the paper will no longer produce a physical edition in its own facility. The announcement was released on the AJC’s own website, which has since provided further details about the transition, the impact on employees, and what readers can expect in the coming months.

Why the Plant Is Closing

The AJC’s printing facility, located in downtown Atlanta’s industrial district, has been a symbol of the city’s media heritage. Built in the 1920s and expanded over the decades, the plant was once the largest of its kind in the Southeast. It produced daily copies for the AJC, the Atlanta Constitution, and a handful of other regional publications, employing more than 150 workers in its heyday.

Over the past decade, the print business has been under increasing pressure. Circulation numbers have fallen sharply, largely because readers have turned to digital platforms for news. Gannett’s 2023 annual report revealed that print revenue accounted for only about 4 % of the company’s total income, while digital and advertising revenue continue to grow. In addition, the cost of maintaining a large, aging printing complex has become unsustainable. “We have had to make tough decisions to align our resources with where our readers and advertisers are headed,” said a Gannett spokesperson in a statement that the AJC published on its site.

Rather than investing in expensive upgrades, the company opted to outsource printing to a regional partner—Georgia Print Partners, which operates a modern press facility in Columbus. The AJC will still publish a daily print edition, but it will be printed off‑site and shipped to the Atlanta office for distribution. The AJC’s staff has been notified that the last internal print run will take place on December 31; after that, the plant will be shut down and the building will be vacated.

Impact on Employees

The closure will directly affect roughly 120 employees who have worked in the printing plant for years. While Gannett has offered some positions in other parts of the organization, many workers will face layoffs. AJC’s editor, John P. Smith, expressed his gratitude to the plant staff: “These people have been the backbone of our daily operations for decades. Their skill, dedication, and camaraderie will be missed.”

AJC has set up a transitional assistance program to help displaced employees find new opportunities, including resume workshops, interview coaching, and job placement services through Gannett’s career hub. Several former plant workers have already signed up for training in digital journalism roles, reflecting a broader industry trend of shifting from print to digital skill sets.

The article on the AJC’s website included a link to Gannett’s employment portal (https://www.gannett.com/careers) and to the Department of Labor’s resources for displaced workers. It also highlighted the possibility that the building could be repurposed for community use; local developers are reportedly interested in converting the plant into a mixed‑use space that could include loft apartments, art studios, and a small museum dedicated to the history of printing in Atlanta.

What Readers Will See

Despite the plant’s closure, the AJC will continue to publish its daily edition in print form—just not from the historic downtown facility. Readers can expect the same layout, page count, and editorial content as before, but the physical copies will arrive from the new printing partner. The cost to the newspaper, and consequently to the consumer, is expected to be negligible; Gannett has stated that the change will not affect subscription rates.

For those who rely on the print edition, the AJC is investing in a more robust digital platform. The newspaper’s website (https://www.ajc.com) and mobile app will feature interactive content, video segments, and extended coverage of local stories. “Our mission is to deliver the news that matters to Atlanta and the region, whether in print or online,” said Editor‑in‑Chief Maria Gonzales. “We’re committed to ensuring our loyal readers can still access the paper in the format they prefer.”

Historical Significance and Community Reaction

The closure of the AJC printing plant has sparked a wave of nostalgia and concern across Atlanta. Local historians have noted that the plant has been a silent witness to key moments in the city’s history, from the civil rights marches of the 1960s to the construction of the Georgia Dome. A recent interview with longtime plant worker “Doc” Thompson—who has printed newspapers for more than 35 years—illustrated the emotional weight of the decision. “I’ve seen the press in action from the first morning of the 1968 marches to the day we printed the final paper in this building,” Thompson said. “It’s more than a building; it’s a memory.”

The AJC’s own website hosted a photo gallery celebrating the plant’s legacy, featuring archival images of the press, workers, and early editions of the newspaper. The site also linked to a separate article about the broader decline of print media in the United States (https://www.channel3000.com/news/money/print-media-closure-trends), providing context for readers unfamiliar with the industry’s trajectory.

Looking Ahead

With the print plant shutting down, the AJC is positioning itself for the future of news consumption. Gannett’s corporate strategy has shifted toward “digital-first” operations, with an emphasis on mobile readership, targeted advertising, and multimedia storytelling. The decision to outsource printing aligns with the company’s goal of reducing overhead while maintaining the brand’s traditional newspaper presence.

For the city of Atlanta, the plant’s closure may be an economic challenge for the immediate area, but it also opens up possibilities for redevelopment and community projects. The building’s vacant status could attract developers looking to create a modern, mixed‑use space that honors the past while embracing the future.

As the last printed copy rolls off the press on December 31, the AJC will remain a cornerstone of local journalism—its ink may be moving to a new press, but its dedication to reporting the pulse of Atlanta remains unchanged. Readers who have relied on the paper for decades can rest assured that, whether in print or on a screen, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution will continue to deliver the news that matters most to the community.