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.
More Norwood Business History
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Swampland Transformed Into Norwood Country Club Golf Course-August 29, 1975
Following a massive, self-directed engineering and construction effort, the new Norwood Country Club is scheduled to open for play today. Located on land adjacent to Route 1 and the Norwood Airport purchased in 1973 from the Foley family, the regulation golf course represents a triumph over difficult terrain by builder, contractor, designer, and engineer Frank…
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Fate of South Norwood’s Dealers’ Cafe Rests on Upcoming Hearing-August 21, 1975
With the Dealers’ Cafe closed since winter, the state ABCC will review its license status while Norwood Selectman William F. Butters pushes to transfer the permit to Route 1.
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Norwood Entrepreneurs Launch Innovative Video Home Inventory Service to Ease Insurance Claims-August 20, 1975
Utilizing cutting-edge audio-video technology, Norwood’s Michael Cardaci Jr. and Christopher McKinnon founded Panvidicon Video Assurance Co. to catalog home possessions for insurance claims.
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Norwood Selectmen Fight State Over Iron Horse Outdoor Liquor License-August 21, 1974
Norwood selectmen resist a state ABCC mandate to grant an outdoor liquor license to the Iron Horse’s Mida Piazza Garden.
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Norwood Selectmen Mandate Uniform Meter Rates for Local Taxi Companies-August 8, 1973
Ending a two-month debate, Norwood selectmen voted to establish uniform meter rates for Bob’s Taxi Co. and Norwood Taxi Co., setting fares at 60 cents for the first sixth-mile and 10 cents thereafter.
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Seeds Of Vast Industrial Development Planted-July 10, 1973
On July 10, 1973, the industrial committee in Norwood underwent a significant reorganization, appointing local developer Robert L. Rizzo as chairman and establishing a five-member steering committee to promote business and industry within the town. ⠀ The committee’s primary focus was to advance a plan for “garden-type industrial development” on a large parcel of land…
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Norwood Plastics Firm Starts Full Operations-This Day In Norwood History-July 21, 1969,
The dawn of a new era in Norwood’s industrial landscape unfolded on July 21, 1969, as the Gamma Platics Corporation embarked on its full-scale manufacturing operations. Nestled at 370 Lenox St., this pioneering plastics firm was poised to revolutionize the industry with its custom injection molding services. At the helm of this innovative venture stood…
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Polaroid Begins Production At Norwood Complex-July 9, 1969
In 1969, Polaroid began producing goods in their newly constructed facility on the former Forbes Estate in Norwood.
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Polaroid Corporation Conducts Site Studies on 220-Acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood-August 8, 1967
Partnering with landscape architects Sasaki, Dawson and Demay, the Polaroid Corp. is actively surveying its 220-acre Forbes Estate in Norwood and Westwood to draft revised facility and manufacturing plans.
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Uptown Shoppers Mall Suggested in Norwood-September 7, 1966
Norwood selectmen and parking commissioners discuss urban renewal and the possibility of creating a pedestrian shoppers mall to combat downtown retail vacancies.
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