AUGUSTA, Ga.— Morris Publishing Group has purchased a state-of-the-art printing press for the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News, Bluffton (S.C.) Today, and other Morris publications serving the growing readership in the area. The announcement was made today by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing.

"We are expanding our commitment to the greater Savannah area and the South Carolina Low Country with this investment," Morris said. "The new press will produce higher quality color, improve efficiency and give the newspaper more printing flexibility."

In late 2004, Morris Publishing moved the Savannah Morning News to a newly constructed building off Chatham Parkway in Savannah. The new building provided much-needed space to grow and modern facilities to help better serve the community. Morris created Bluffton (S.C.) Today, which is printed in the Morning News facilities, in 2005.

"We are very pleased with the response from readers and advertisers to Bluffton Today and our other publications," Morris said. "Bluffton Today represents a progressive way to meet changing customer needs, and this cutting edge-press will give us greater flexibility in a dynamic market."

In addition to printing Bluffton Today and selected products for the Savannah Morning News, the new press will also print Coastal Antiques and Art magazine, Coastal Senior magazine, Effingham Now, Hardeeville (S.C.) Today, Hilton Head Today, and the Jasper County Sun.

The press is being constructed in Germany by MAN Roland and will be shipped to Savannah. It is scheduled to start operating at the Savannah Morning News in the fall of 2007.

"We are proud to be selected as the press supplier for an innovative leader in the industry like Morris Communications," said Vince Lapinski, chief operating officer of Web Operations in North America for MAN Roland. "This newspaper project will not only update their press equipment, but will provide the latest technology, automation and increased color capabilities, allowing the people at Morris Communications to expand the range of unique, world-class products they can offer to the communities they serve. We look forward to a lasting, successful partnership for years to come."

Morris Publishing Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company, LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing owns and operates 27 daily newspapers as well as nondaily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. For more information, visit morris.com.

CONTACT:
Karen Randall
706-823-3403
karen.randall@morris.com