By: E&P Staff El Nuevo Dia Orlando -- the mainland edition of Puerto Rico's biggest paper that was central Florida's only Spanish-language daily -- is folding Aug. 29 after five years of publication.
San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Ferre-Rangel Group launched the paper as a free daily in 2003, and in late 2006 began targeted household distribution in an agreement with Tribune Co.'s Orlando Sentinel. The paper had boasted earlier this year that its classified ad sales had increased 90% in 2007, and overall ad revenue was up 28%.
But a spokesman said Thursday that the paper had consistently lost money, a victim of the poor newspaper market in the United States.
"The newspaper industry has been affected by the increase in printing and distribution operational costs and also by the economic situation in the United States that has affected diverse industries," the company said in a statement.
About 50 employees will be affected by the closing of the paper, which published weekdays.
"This is a very difficult decision for the company and we deeply regret the inconveniences this can cause our employees, suppliers, customers and the community," Jaime Segura, El Nuevo Dia's general manager, said in a statement. "We are working with each one of those groups to offer the best support possible."
El Nuevo Dia Orlando had targeted central Florida's large Puerto Rican population. Ferre-Rangel publishes El Nuevo Dia and the downmarket Primera Hora in Puerto Rico.
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