How You Can Support Community Journalism In Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Since launching Patch in Tuscaloosa in late July, we have seen sustained growth and engagement as we move forward with our mission of bringing quality local journalism to west Alabama free of charge to our readers.

We have already topped 1,000 email newsletter subscribers and are gaining momentum with each new day of informing our community. In order to keep our content free and without a paywall, though, we need your help.

Here are some simple and cost-effective ways you can support Tuscaloosa Patch and not only help a growing local business, but contribute to the concepts of transparency and accountability in our community:

For as little as $5 a month — roughly the cost of a large Coca-Cola at Bryant-Denny or a craft beer at one of Tuscaloosa's great businesses — you can have an immediate impact in boosting this exciting new institution. Our options for support are specifically designed to promote easy, small contributions, with monthly gifts of $5 or $10 and annual gifts of $50 or $100.

Click here to support Tuscaloosa Patch.

We are also actively seeking local businesses to invest in our concept as sponsors, with the promise of providing top-notch local advertising not only to a wide, high-caliber audience in Tuscaloosa, but across our national network of Patch communities. Our largest sponsorship packages are also simple and cost-efficient, while offering more bells and whistles than you will be able to find anywhere else in Tuscaloosa. For business owners who may not see a need or market for advertising, donations are also effective way to improve your local business climate and show good faith that you are invested in the community you serve.

Click here to learn more about becoming a sponsor or email ryan.phillips@patch.com for details.

For those who would rather not invest financially, we also offer the option to simply sign up for our free email newsletters and breaking news alerts. No cost, no gimmicks. For those who like their news delivered directly to their mobile device or smartphone, the Patch mobile app — available for free download in the Apple and Android app stores — is a cutting-edge platform that will allow you to search news in other Patch communities, while receiving daily push notifications for our breaking news products as they are published in Tuscaloosa.

Click here to subscribe to our free email newsletters and breaking news alerts. For those who get their news via social media, give us a follow on Facebook and Twitter.

I'm a firm believer in the Patch concept, which I why I chose to come home to Tuscaloosa and build a community news outlet from just about nothing other than a fantastic content management system and the knowledge I've gained from a decade in this business. For the Tuscaloosa bureau, I may be the sole employee, but bring with me a lifelong knowledge of the area and its people, in addition to a long track record of producing important local journalism and a work ethic that just won't quit.

It's my hope you will find some way to invest in Tuscaloosa Patch and help us grow to become a pillar of community service in west Alabama as we continue our mission to inform those we serve at no cost.

Ryan Phillips is the community publisher for Tuscaloosa Patch. A Tuscaloosa native and graduate of the University of Alabama, Phillips is an award-winning journalist, columnist and editor with previous stops at the Starkville Daily News, Weather.com, the Associated Press, the Birmingham Business Journal and the Anniston Star. To contact Phillips with news tips or advertising inquiries, email ryan.phillips@patch.com