The Independent Record on Wednesday announced it will reduce its work force in response to a slowing economy.

The layoffs include five full-time employees, affecting nearly every department at the newspaper. Being eliminated are one position each in the newsroom, press room, circulation, technical services and accounting departments.

"These are difficult decisions, but necessary to weather through revenue downturns and increased expenses," said Pat Schlauch, the newspaper's publisher. "The economic outlook over the next year is challenging and we need to position ourselves to continue to grow our business and be the key news and information source for Helena."

The Independent Record, combined with its subsidiaries Farcountry Press and Montana Magazine, now employs 138 people. With one staff reduction at the IR and three at the other publishing companies earlier this year, the total layoffs in the past year amount to a 5.5 percent reduction.

All across the country, newspapers n particularly those in larger metropolitan areas n have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy. The changes have been felt in many areas but more directly in classified advertising, which includes the real estate and automotive segments. While classified spending has dropped, newsprint, ink and transportation costs are skyrocketing.

Newspapers across the nation and in Montana are reducing employee numbers and seeking other expense savings in response to economic conditions and rising costs.

While business has slowed, Schlauch noted that the Helena newspaper continues to see growth in several key areas.

The Independent Record is one of few newspapers across the country that has increased its circulation for five consecutive years. Its overall audience, combining print and online readers, has grown significantly as well. The paper's Web site, helenair.com, averages 2 million page views per month. Combined, the print and online version reaches nearly 80 percent of all adults in the Helena market.

"We are determined to put out a local newspaper that reflects our community, its people and our events," Schlauch said. "We have top-notch employees and will continue to put out great products and services to our community. I'm convinced our strategy will continue to provide this region with a strong newspaper for the long run."