Founded in 1955 and now known as the Midwest Free Community Papers Association (MFCP), our association exists to support members in every aspect of their publishing business. Our mission remains the same: help our members make money, grow their businesses, and connect with others in the industry. What has changed, however, is the industry itself.
As recently as a decade ago, we were widely known as “the shopper group,” and to some, that title still sticks. While we continue to represent many shopper-type publications, more than half of our current membership now consists of newspapers, magazines, niche publications, and other community-based media. That diversity strengthens us. It allows us to learn from one another and grow together.
The platforms we use have evolved as well. With the rise of digital media, advertisers are spreading their budgets across more channels than ever before. Our association is committed to helping you compete in this shifting landscape. That’s why we offer the easy-to-use iPromote platform, so you can reclaim your share of the market. Many members are also building websites, publishing newsletters, partnering with digital providers, and exploring AI tools to expand their reach.
Another significant shift is the decline in the number of publications overall. Some have closed due to financial hardship or retirement; others have consolidated. Fewer new publications are launching. This trend affects all of us. While we value our strong membership, our numbers are not what they once were. To address this reality and position our association for the future, the board has proposed an important change.
This proposal was introduced at last year’s conference and will be voted on at this year’s annual meeting in Cedar Falls. The proposed bylaw changes would allow us to expand membership to include paid and digital-only publications. By opening our doors more widely, we can welcome publishers who may not yet have access to a network as strong and supportive as ours. This expansion would create new learning opportunities, strengthen our advertising network, and grow our membership base.
Alongside these bylaw updates, we are considering a name change from Midwest Free Community Papers to Midwest Community Publications to better reflect who we are today and who we aim to serve tomorrow.
More information, including the full bylaw language, will be shared with members as we approach the conference.
So, what’s in a name? For our association, it represents the future — a renewed vision, a broader community, and a strong foundation for the next generation of publishers.
- Cory Regnier
As recently as a decade ago, we were widely known as “the shopper group,” and to some, that title still sticks. While we continue to represent many shopper-type publications, more than half of our current membership now consists of newspapers, magazines, niche publications, and other community-based media. That diversity strengthens us. It allows us to learn from one another and grow together.
The platforms we use have evolved as well. With the rise of digital media, advertisers are spreading their budgets across more channels than ever before. Our association is committed to helping you compete in this shifting landscape. That’s why we offer the easy-to-use iPromote platform, so you can reclaim your share of the market. Many members are also building websites, publishing newsletters, partnering with digital providers, and exploring AI tools to expand their reach.
Another significant shift is the decline in the number of publications overall. Some have closed due to financial hardship or retirement; others have consolidated. Fewer new publications are launching. This trend affects all of us. While we value our strong membership, our numbers are not what they once were. To address this reality and position our association for the future, the board has proposed an important change.
This proposal was introduced at last year’s conference and will be voted on at this year’s annual meeting in Cedar Falls. The proposed bylaw changes would allow us to expand membership to include paid and digital-only publications. By opening our doors more widely, we can welcome publishers who may not yet have access to a network as strong and supportive as ours. This expansion would create new learning opportunities, strengthen our advertising network, and grow our membership base.
Alongside these bylaw updates, we are considering a name change from Midwest Free Community Papers to Midwest Community Publications to better reflect who we are today and who we aim to serve tomorrow.
More information, including the full bylaw language, will be shared with members as we approach the conference.
So, what’s in a name? For our association, it represents the future — a renewed vision, a broader community, and a strong foundation for the next generation of publishers.
- Cory Regnier