Questa del Rio News is dedicated to covering northern Taos County communities. Simultaneously, we are working to secure our future as financial pressures continue to threaten the survival of local journalism.
The newspaper recently received a grant that allowed staff to attend the Business of Local Conference, hosted Oct. 19–21 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City by the Blue Engine Collaborative. The gathering brought together more than 100 small publishers from across the country to share challenges and explore business models that can keep independent newsrooms alive.
Questa del Rio News Editor-in-Chief Mikayla Ortega said the support came at a pivotal moment for the paper, which has relied largely on a mix of grants, advertisers and community donations.
“We know our communities depend on us,” Ortega said. “We want to be here for decades to come, but the simple truth is that the business of local news is harder than ever.”
Conference sessions focused on strategies that are working for similar operations nationwide. Among the takeaways: a sustainable newsroom needs a balanced blend of reader support, advertising revenue and grant funding. Participants also learned new ways to secure sponsorships, strengthen membership programs and use digital platforms more effectively to generate income.
Industry leaders from the Salt Lake Tribune shared real-world guidance on everything from converting readers into paying supporters to improving the value of local advertising. A session featuring the Richland Source highlighted successful year-end fundraising drives, while other talks introduced funding opportunities such as the Media Resilience Fund Loan and initiatives from The Knight Foundation.
Ortega said the grant that funded the trip, made possible by Press Forward, provided access to insights that are typically out of reach for a publication with limited resources.
“This wasn’t just about attending a conference,” Ortega said. “This was about having a seat at the table where the future of local news is being built.”
Alongside revenue planning, workshops addressed newsroom technology and education programs.
For Questa del Rio News, the stakes remain high. The paper publishes monthly and covers a wide rural region where larger media outlets have little presence. Without it, residents could lose essential coverage of government, schools, public safety, small businesses and local culture.
“We’re hanging on by a thread, but we’re fighting for that thread,” Ortega said. “Local journalism keeps communities informed and connected. We believe this work is worth saving.”
The newspaper plans to launch new fundraising and advertising initiatives in the coming months, while continuing its mission to provide trusted, locally produced reporting.
“Our neighbors deserve to know what is happening in their own backyard,” Ortega said. “We are determined to make sure they never lose that.”
Our publication will be hosting our annual fundraiser in December. Readers may receive letters in the mail or may see our posts on social media, encouraging people to donate to our campaign. “Times are tough right now. Our publication exists so our people know they matter and they’re not alone,” Ortega said. “I am so grateful to our readers and supporters and am hopeful our December fundraiser will be a big success.”
