BY KATIE V. JONES

We here at The Laurel Independent are excited to have completed our first year of providing news and information to Laurel residents, businesses and civically engaged individuals — coverage of city elections, features on local civic organizations and businesses, and important issues like rising apartment rents. In this age of disappearing newspapers across the country, we find it all but miraculous that we have been able to counter that trend, to create a new newspaper and build social capital, all elements that  knit together a caring and engaged community. 

You can help ensure that we continue this mission. The Laurel Independent and its nonprofit parent, Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, are participating in NewsMatch, a fundraising initiative sponsored by the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). The funding this initiative offers is critical to our efforts.

Streetcar’s board has launched a strategic planning process, with an eye to growth and improvements. Some of the possibilities are adding Spanish-language content to our newspapers to serve our growing Spanish-speaking populations, and increasing  our coverage of government and education developments. These improvements call for additional funding.

Now through Dec. 31, INN will match all donations to The Laurel Independent up to $13,000. Our goal for local donations this year is $15,000. You can make your donation online by using the link right here or by sending a check to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, Md. 20781.

We’re proud of passing our first anniversary and of winning two prizes in the National Newspaper Association’s editorial contest in our first year. And we’re grateful to you, our readers, and to our financial supporters. We look forward to serving you in 2024, and for many years to come!