As we reflect on 2024, we’re grateful for the incredible support from our readers, contributors, and community partners. Your contributions have fueled our growth and strengthened our ability to deliver essential news to Hopewell Valley.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished together this year:
Audience Growth & Engagement
- Total page views: 436,529
- Total readers: 219,576
- Total articles published: 486
Top Stories of 2024
- Historic Washington Crossing Bridge to be Replaced
- New Brewery Combines Farming and Brewing in Hopewell Township
- Fatal Crash on County Route 518 Claims Life of 21-Year-Old Pennington Resident
Strengthening Democracy
- 67+ public meetings: covered by paid reporters, keeping you informed and ensuring transparency and accountability for local government
- 15 local election articles: informing voters and fostering civic engagement in Hopewell Valley
Connecting and Engaging with Community
- 101 stories highlighting nonprofits: showcasing achievements, events, and their impact on the community
- 104 local event features: connecting readers with community happenings and shared experiences
- 7 event sponsorships: supporting community connection through events like the Hopewell Harvest Fair, Pennington Day, and Sourland Mountain Festival
- 10th and final Cut Throat Cookie event: celebrating a decade of community spirit and friendly competition
Major Improvements in 2024
- Digital upgrades for enhanced reader experience: improved website speed, usability, and engagement for easier access to local news
- New leadership milestone: hired our first paid part-time editor, enhancing our editorial quality and expanding coverage capacity
“We are very fortunate to have Mercer Me as a resource for our community.”
— A MercerMe Reader
Grants Received
- NJCIC Grant: secured $10,000 to upgrade technology and enhance the reader experience
- LION Grant: received $20,000 to implement sustainability audit recommendations to drive strategic improvements
The True Cost of Local News
Bringing you trusted local news takes more than dedication — it requires funding. Here’s what it takes to keep MercerMe running each month:
- Operating costs: $3,000, including meeting coverage, web hosting, and essential tools.
- Uncompensated leadership: Our publisher manages ad sales, bookkeeping, human resources, community engagement, event representation, and grant applications, and ensures operations run smoothly — all without taking a salary for the last 10 years.
- Reader contributions: Thanks to our generous community, MercerMe receives $12,000 annually in reader support. We are deeply grateful for you making an incredible difference. However, it covers only a fraction of what’s needed to fully operate and grow.
To expand coverage, invest in resources, and secure MercerMe’s future, increased community support is essential. Every contribution makes a difference and helps ensure local news thrives in Hopewell Valley.
Join us in sustaining local news: https://mercerme.com/support-my-mercerme/
Looking Ahead to 2025
We couldn’t have done this without you and can only continue with your help! Thank you for believing in our mission as we look toward an impactful 2025. Together, we can strengthen local news and our community for years to come.
