This is a unique market compared to larger municipalities,” said Tryon Daily Bulletin General Manager Kevin Powell. “The people here still like to read a physical newspaper rather than picking up their phones. I think that plays in our favor for longevity.” 

With the newspaper industry becoming a victim to the Internet and smart phones, Powell said the Bulletin is looking to expand into the future. In a time when most papers are reducing their coverage the Bulletin’s readership is not just holding steady. According to Powell their readership is slightly increasing while at same time the paper’s web traffic has grown significantly over last couple years.

Powell started as a marketing consultant for the paper in 2013 and was promoted to General Manager in January 2017.

“There wasn’t much equestrian coverage in the paper when I came on board,” Powell said. The Tryon International Equestrian Center was just getting started.”

Today the paper includes an Appointments section every week and at least two or three equestrian articles in the monthly Foothills Magazine. Powell said there have been conversations about possibly starting an equestrian based magazine for the area as well.

Other improvements included relaunching the web site last year and Powell has considered redesigning the paper’s masthead a bit. He also wants to make the daily paper stronger and put more focus on the magazine’s web site as well.

“I’m not sure how you improve on something that’s already so great,” said Powell. “It will be challenging.”