News from Atlantic Canada, specifically Nova Scotia, signals the first bit of positive tidings for local communities. AllNovaScotia.com, a local news publication devoted to covering the latest in business and politics, is exporting its brand to a nearby province, to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Local news has been on the chopping block in most parts of Canada of late. Last month two small-town journalism institutions shut their doors and the challenge of monetizing local news on television has been the focus of a recent CRTC hearing. While the cost of producing local content for print and television have been formidable challenges for legacy media houses, a digital content company is paving the way for journalistic content in an online medium.

The 15-year old publication is making its first foray outside familiar home ground, with the hope that the success of its local model in Nova Scotia can be replicated – with some local tweaks – in N.L. The new publication, which will have weekday editions, will focus on news related to several relevant sectors, among them the fishing industry, the energy sector, small business and entrepreneurship.

With 10,000 paying subscribers, NovaScotia publication’s financial model is based on revenue mostly from subscriptions, while advertising revenue accounts for 20% of that total.

The paper was born out of a father-and-daughter collaboration, led by veteran news hound, David Bentley. The paper made inroads into the N.L. world last year when its established a bureau office in St. Johns.

“It’s been a tough year for daily newspapers, but we think the future is bright for insightful local news,” Bentley said in a press release. 

The paper’s decision to open a second brand in NL was prompted by the increase in subscriptions following the opening of its St. John’s office, which it says, has a strong and vibrant business community.