The News Reporter Company Inc. and The Atlantic Corporation have agreed to an alliance that has effectively closed the commercial print shop of The News Reporter.

Atlantic Corp. is also publisher of the Tabor-Loris Tribune. The News Reporter stopped accepting print shop orders at the end of last week. The machinery has been purchased by a Charlotte firm and the inventory was sold to the Tabor City plant.

All four full-time and two-part time employees were invited by mutual agreement of James C. High, president of The News Reporter and Russell Carter, president of Atlantic Corp., to make employment application to Atlantic.

“Computers, high cost of health care and quick printing have made it very difficult for a small print shop to compete in price and service. Atlantic Corporation, like The News Reporter, is family owned, has the ability to do the smallest and the very largest industrial requirements to offer the service this area deserves,” High said.

“My hat is off to Carter, his employees and main man, Gary Walker. They are well-equipped and have the reputation of a national-class printing facility. This change will give our company a chance to focus more attention on our core mission.”

Atlantic Corporation is located at 1107 E. Fifth Street. The main phone number is 653-3153 and they have an open door policy to customers.

“It has been our privilege to have served Columbus County in a small way for a long time. There comes a time that hard decisions have to be made and Carter and his company made it easier,” High concluded.