Richland Source of Mansfield, Ohio and GalionLive of neighboring Galion, are pleased to announce that the two online media companies have joined forces through a purchase agreement that was finalized on May 2, 2014. Richland Source has agreed to purchase GalionLive, and thus ensure Crawford County residents continued online access to important news about their communities.
Launched in June 2013, Richland Source is a locally-owned online provider of community news and information, primarily serving the communities in Richland County, Ohio. The company provides complete news coverage, but chooses to focus on stories that highlight what they believe makes North Central Ohio a great place to live and do business.
In internet years, GalionLive is considerably more mature, having begun publishing in 2009. Also locally-owned, GalionLive has provided the citizens of Crawford County with a similar news product to that of Richland Source since being founded by Thomas Palmer, a Galion native.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed creating and building a platform for Galionites to obtain and share information,” said Palmer. “After election to public service this past November required that I do so, I have been looking for a new home for GalionLive consistent with its original vision; and Richland Source mirrors my own commitment to close-to-home ownership and focus. I am thrilled that Jay and his team are coming to Crawford County.”
Richland Source’s Publisher, Jay Allred, was intrigued by the similarities between the two companies. “When we learned that GalionLive was looking for a new home, we were immediately interested. The company had developed a loyal readership based upon a set of values that were fundamentally in line with our own, so we wanted to see if there was a way we could help Thomas find a home for his readers.”
While the sale was completed in early May, both parties anticipate a gradual transition period, during which Palmer will be very involved and relied upon by Richland Source staff. GalionLive and its related social media channels will continue to be active and maintained as content gradually begins to appear on both platforms.
Palmer is optimistic about the future for Galion. “My current focus is on serving my hometown in local government,” he shared, “however I will certainly remain an avid consumer of local news. The future is bright for our community and having this quality information source to cover that success will make it shine all the more,” he shared.
“We are very excited to learn about all of the great organizations, companies, and people that live and work in the Galion area.” Allred said. “We’re hopeful that they will find our brand of community news refreshing and energizing, and we are looking forward to serving these great communities.”
