Atlanta Journal-Constitution trimming bigtime

Big changes at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution mean the buyout of at least 80 employees 55 years or older and also a scaling back of the circulation area.

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"We are extending a voluntary separation program offer to about 80 employees who are 55 years of age or older and have 10 years of Cox pension vesting service," editor Julia Wallace wrote. "The offer is completely voluntary. We don't expect everyone to take the offer, but we will not limit the number who can accept....Clearly we will lose some very talented and veteran folks. It's hard, but it's necessary for our economic realities."

Effective April 1, the newspaper will scale back its circulation territory to no longer include Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and many parts of Georgia. The paper had been delivered in 145 of Georgia's 159 counties, but now will only be available in 66 counties in the state. The paper won't be found in cities like Augusta, Columbus, Savannah and Albany.

The changes will mean the end of 44 circulation positions, with displaced workers offered severance packages, pubslisher John Mellot said.

The newspaper's parent company, Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, also will spend $30 million on upgrading its presses in suburban Gwinnett County, with plans to close the paper's downtown Atlanta production facility in two years. Mellott said the changes will mean the shift or loss of 98 production jobs.

A dozen different departments and desks will be reduced to four main departments.: News & Information, Enterprise, Digital, Print.

"The News and Information department will be responsible for news of all kinds -- metro, business, features and sports. Its mission and mantra is daily watchdog and aggressive newsgathering....

"The Enterprise department will generate distinctive local content. While it will produce special projects, this is more than a projects department. It will produce a steady stream of enterprise. Print will be its focus, but it also will take full advantage of the online platform....

"The Digital department is responsible for growing online audience by offering local news and information; providing a platform for interactivity and social networking; and extending our selection beyond news to attract new audiences....

"The Print department will produce the best newspaper possible."