Four of 11 community publications recently acquired by a large British Columbia media chain will be shut down.

B.C.'s Trail Daily Times, Grand Forks Gazette, Creston Valley Advance, Fernie Free Press, Nelson Daily News, Prince Rupert Daily News, and Cariboo Advisor group — including Cariboo Advisor, Quesnel Advisor, 100 Mile House Advisor and Coast Mountain News — have been purchased from Glacier Media by Black Press.

But the new owners plan to shut down the Nelson Daily News, Prince Rupert Daily News, Quesnel Advisor and 100 Mile House Advisor, causing about 40 people to lose their jobs, according to Black Press chief operating officer Rick O'Connor.

"They're losing a lot of money," O'Connor said of the papers, adding paid circulation has been in decline.

Black Press already owns competing publications in the four communities.

Run by Victoria media baron David Black, the company owns more than 100 publications, many in small communities in B.C., Alberta, Washington state, Ohio and Hawaii.

Despite the closures, O'Connor said the performance of its remaining publications should get stronger as the economy improves.

"We like the Kootenay marketplace and we think the economy is diversified up there and publishing is still very much an important part of day-to-day life in those communities," O'Connor said.

"I still think it's a very strong and viable industry," he said.

Word of the impending closure was received with resignation by staff at the Nelson Daily News, who were told Monday morning by a former Black Press employee.

"We were told the deal had been in the works for a year," said Tim Schafer. "A 109-year history of this paper is now history."

Staff were told the last paper would be published by Sept. 3 or sooner, depending on agreement by the union and if all advertising contracts are met.

Schafer said the announcement followed already severe cuts over the last few years, and affects about 30 employees who've been offered severance pay.