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2004-04-20 issue:

MPN board decides to vacate Scottdale

Will locate administrators, programs in Mennonite population centers

by Mennonite Publishing Network

Print Article

Mennonite Publishing Network, in a March 11 board meeting, decided to develop a long-term strategy to vacate its Scottdale, Pa., facility and begin locating programs and administrative positions in centers of Mennonite population in Canada and the United States. The transition to new locations could take up to five years.

A central factor in considering such a move was the MPN board’s commitment to the new vision and network model for publishing.

“MPN has been called by the church to change from being a ‘house’ to becoming a ‘network,’ ” said MPN board chair Ron Sawatsky, “responsive to the diverse and changing requirements of its constituency.”

Less than half the 70,000-square-foot Scottdale facility is being used by MPN. With major changes over the past two years—staff downsizing that included the closing of the printing division—the number of Scottdale-based staff has been reduced from 95 to 30.

“The ongoing space needs for MPN have significantly decreased,” said Phil Bontrager, MPN board member and treasurer. “The overhead cost associated with maintaining the current facility cannot be justified by MPN requirements alone.”

The question about future facility requirements was further focused by a Facility Task Group appointed by the MPN board last fall. The task group considered various options for the Scottdale facility, ranging from shared commercial or residential use to community or church use. However, in order to know which options to explore in depth, the task group asked the board to indicate whether or not MPN will continue to utilize any part of its facility in Scottdale.

The board indicated that in the long term, MPN should limit the amount of property it owns and should not be a property landlord in Scottdale or elsewhere. Consequently the board decided to develop a plan to vacate the building in a way that is both financially and operationally feasible.

Alternate locations for MPN have not yet been determined. However, the board decided to announce its long-term direction to create the broad framework for ongoing planning.
On March 27, the Joint Executive Committee of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada endorsed the decision, underscoring the need for a sound financial plan as part of the long-term strategy (see here).

On March 30, Ron Rempel, executive director, shared the board’s strategic direction with the MPN staff.—Mennonite Publishing Network

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