KEYSER — Your hometown daily newspaper will soon have a bright new home from which to better serve our readers.
Mineral Daily News Tribune publisher Dave Boden announced this week that the paperwork is complete and the  newspaper offices and printing operation will soon be moving to the former Smith Ford building, located along U.S. Route 220 across from Pizza Hut.
“Everybody is really excited,” Boden said of the new location, noting that the building is “just exactly what we need” — easier access for the public and delivery drivers, ample parking, and good visibility.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, it remains central to the whole of Mineral County.
“The whole process of finding a place took about three months,” Boden explained. “We wanted everything all in one building, and we needed a minimum of 6,500-7,000 square feet.
“The way this building is laid out really works for us.”
Due to time constraints, the publisher said constructing a new building was never an option.
Boden also credits property owner Jim Smith for being a big help in choosing the location and in keeping costs to a minimum.
“He worked with us from the beginning,” he said. “Being a small community newspaper, we’ve got to watch what we spend. I’ve very pleased with how things worked out.”
The process of moving two buildings and contents – including eight Goss printing press units that weigh 5,500 pounds each - into one central location will not be an easy one.
“We’re going to try to move everything but the press as quickly as possible,” Boden said, noting that for a short period of time the business office, newsroom, composing and advertising departments will be working out of the new location while the printing will continue to be done in the press room located on Mineral Street, right beside Memorial Bridge.
“We have to reinforce the floors and construct a press room at the new location. The whole process of just moving the press will probably take two to four weeks,” Boden said.
When the press is disassembled  and in route, the News Tribune, Frankfort Beacon and Today’s Shopper will be printed at the News Tribune‘s sister paper in Waynesboro, Pa.
Boden says he does not anticipate the short-term long-distance operation to create any inconvenience for our readers.
“We may have to have some earlier deadlines for while, but quite honestly, when you’re reading the paper you shouldn’t notice much difference.
“We’re trying to make the move as seamless as possible.”
He admits it’s not going to be easy.
“It will be like trying to change tires on a car when it’s going 55 miles an hour,” he said, laughing. “But the news doesn‘t stop and we aren’t stopping, either.”
With the hopes of being able to begin moving during the third or fourth week of February, the process of packing – and deciding what goes and what stays – will begin soon.
“We need to go though a lot of stuff and decide what’s an archive and what we’ve just been hoarding,” Boden said. “We want to keep anything that is a part of the heritage of the paper.
Among the items he plans to take to the new location is an original glass door with lettering which once graced the front of the building but was since moved to the now-unused upstairs, as well as the large antique safe which is recessed in the wall underneath the stairs in the front office.
He also hopes to move the News Tribune sign located on the front of the building.
As for the soon-to-be abandoned buildings, which were purchased by the West Virginia Division of Highways as part of the buyout to make way for a new Memorial Bridge, the building which now houses the printing process will be razed.
The future of the Armstrong Street building – which includes the News Tribune offices - is a bit more uncertain.
“As far as I know, the second we’re out of the building, they’re putting it up for sale,” Boden said.
As the move progresses, the News Tribune will keep our readers updated throughout the process.