Independent Newspapers Inc. -- Crisfield Times

PROFILE: The Crisfield-Somerset County Times covers Somerset County, MD, and Tangier Island, VA which are the heart of Delmarva's fishing and seafood industry. The area boasts a strong agricultural base, too, but the water is a way of life for many small, independent watermen working the Chesapeake Bay for crabs and oysters.

Crisfield is a community steeped in the watermen’s culture, while the county seat of Princess Anne is a destination for those who enjoy history. It is also home to the fast-growing University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The entire county offers attractions for heritage and environmental tourists, boaters, sportsmen and is becoming a favored location for retirees. There is a state-run marina, airport and hospital/nursing home in Crisfield and residents can find many basic goods and services available right in the city limits. Similarly Princess Anne has that small-town feel with an attractive downtown. Residents can also travel less than 50 miles to the larger towns of Salisbury and Pocomoke City for additional shopping and entertainment, or travel another couple of hours to Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC, or Norfolk, VA.

In this unique environment, the Crisfield-Somerset County Times is by far the area's most relied upon medium for local news and information.

Our Purpose… The Crisfield-Somerset County Times is owned by a unique trust that enables this newspaper to pursue a mission of journalistic service to the citizens of the community. Since no dividends are paid, the company is able to thrive on profit margins below industry standards. All after-tax surpluses are reinvested in Independent’s mission of journalistic service, commitment to the ideals of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and support of the community’s deliberation of public issues.