The Daily Sentinel Managing Editor Josh Edwards, left, stands with Rick Craig, publisher.
(photo by Tim Monzingo)
The following is provided by Rick Craig.
In spring 2018, the newspaper industry was facing a battle to avoid unfair tariffs on newsprint imports from Canada.
The Department of Commerce imposed the tariffs in January 2018, and the International Trade Commission reversed the decision that August.
A long-term increase of up to 32 percent on the cost of newsprint would have been a major financial blow to newspapers across the country. The tariff benefitted a single Washington state-based paper mill that submitted a complaint to the Department of Commerce.
The initial tariff led to layoffs and page-count reductions in newspapers around the country. 
The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce board joined The Daily Sentinel in the fight against the tariff by sending letters asking Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to intervene.
“The grassroots pressure to overturn the tariffs played a huge role in the final decision. We really appreciated the local chamber standing behind The Sentinel in this fight. Even though it was a national issue, we received support from State Sen. Robert Nichols and State Rep. Travis Clardy,” said Sentinel publisher Rick Craig.
“The chamber’s advocacy in a business or organization’s behalf is just one of the many benefits that the chamber provides,” Craig added.
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Look for a featured Chamber member each month in 2020. Discover how the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with businesses to overcome challenges and provided opportunities and resources for businesses to meet goals.