The summer of 1986 was a time of great change and innovation in the world of journalism.

On this day, July 26th, The Patriot Ledger reported that Gannett Co. Inc. would begin converting a vacant warehouse on University Avenue into a $10 million production plant for printing and distributing USA Today in New England. This marked an exciting new chapter for Norwood, as the town was set to become a hub for newspaper production.

The idea of a USA Today plant in Norwood had been in the works for some time. According to Tom Shafer, director of field operations, the target date to start printing the first edition was January 5th. However, Shafer remained optimistic about the possibility of moving this date forward if everything went smoothly. The plant would eventually employ between 75 and 100 people, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

One of the key factors that made Norwood an attractive location for Gannett was the size of the building and its easy access to major roadways serving New England. The site, located at 565 University Avenue, sat on a 4.86-acre parcel owned by Joseph and Thomas Swan of E.S. Realty Trust. Gannett would lease the building with an option to buy, Shafer explained.

The new plant would be equipped with state-of-the-art $10 million offset printing presses from Goss Co., a division of Rockwell International. These presses would enable the Norwood plant to print not only USA Today but also area weekly newspapers, trade publications, Sunday color comics, advertising inserts, and other commercial work. Shafer emphasized that the plant’s primary focus would be on printing USA Today for the New England region east of Hartford, Connecticut.

Rick Ruffino, Gannett’s project manager, was in Norwood reviewing final plans with architects and engineers from The Carlson Corporation of Cochituate, Massachusetts. Ruffino confirmed that the new plant would include some offices to support the printing operation but made it clear that there were no plans to locate news or advertising operations in Norwood.

The USA Today newspaper is a national publication printed at various locations across the country. Pages are prepared at the newspaper’s headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, and sent by satellite to regional printing facilities. The Norwood plant would be one of these facilities, playing a crucial role in distributing the paper throughout New England.

As the construction process began, residents of Norwood looked forward to the economic benefits that this new plant would bring. With its state-of-the-art equipment and strategic location, the USA Today plant was poised to become a major player in the world of newspaper production.

The impact of this development on the local community cannot be overstated. The creation of 75-100 jobs would not only provide employment opportunities for residents but also stimulate economic growth in the area. As the town continued to evolve and grow, the USA Today plant would play a significant role in shaping its future.

In conclusion, the establishment of the USA Today plant in Norwood marked an exciting new chapter in the town’s history. With its state-of-the-art equipment and strategic location, this facility was poised to become a major player in the world of newspaper production. As the construction process began, residents looked forward to the economic benefits that this new plant would bring.

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