Biz news still important despite dropped standalone section

Courtney Sherwood, the business and features editor of The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash., writes about the importance of the paper’s business news coverage despite its decision to fold the business section into another printed section of the paper.

Sherwood writes, “Since the Business section moved inside the Clark County section, we have looked at the local unemployment rate, at efforts to develop a second Chuck’s Produce, at a proposed law change that would allow Kiggins Theatre to serve beer during movies, as a small sample of our most recent stories.

“And that’s just in print.

“Five days a week we produce an email newsletter, Business Today, which offers the latest local economic news, previews of stories that have not yet been published plus updates about local people’s careers and a market summary. To sign up, fill out the form at http://www.columbian.com/newsletters and check the box for “Business E-Newsletter.”

“Our reporters are also on Facebook and Twitter, which they use to disseminate stories and post updates while reporting live on the scene.

“Most recently, we launched Strictly Business, a blog that you can find online at http://www.columbian.com/weblogs/strictly-business/. It includes observations about Clark County business happenings, details from reporters’ notebooks that may not make it into daily stories and thoughts about how national headlines may reflect on us here.

“With so much uncertainty about the economy, business news is as important as it has ever been. I hope you’ll keep reading our work, even if you have to turn the page to find it.”

Read more here.