FARGO - The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, faced with declining advertising revenues resulting from the slumping economy, announced Tuesday the elimination of 21 full-time positions.
"Like all businesses, we are not immune to the effects of the economy we find ourselves in," said James Boberg, The Forum's general manager.
"Our print and Internet products remain strong, and we feel that we will come through these trying times stronger than we were going in.
"The layoffs involved almost every department at the newspaper. The Forum had the equivalent of 240 full-time employees.
In addition, a few vacant positions were eliminated, Boberg said."Advertising revenue's down," he said. "The current and projected economic realities had to be taken into account here."
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The Forum sustained layoffs 10 years ago, he added. "As things turned around, we added personnel," he said. "We hope to do that as things turn around here.
"The necessity for the layoffs was purely financial, Boberg said, and was not related to the employees' performance. Severance packages were provided for full-time staff members whose jobs were eliminated.
The Forum is owned by Forum Communication Co., which also owns Detroit Lakes Newspapers.
