Advance Publications will downsize staff at its eight newspapers in Michigan, United States, the Michigan Business Review reported Thursday. The publishers reported that the step is a response to the economic situation.

Newspapers to face buyouts and consolidations include The Ann Arbor News, The Grand Rapids Press, The Flint Journal, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, The Bay City Times, Muskegon Chronicle and The Saginaw News.

Job cuts will include voluntary buyouts and the titles will see the establishment of a single copy desk and ad production office to serve multiple papers, the Business Review reported in an article posted by MLive.com.

Grand Rapids Press Publisher Dan Gaydou and Flint Journal Publisher David Sharp said the move will permit “more innovation," while news and advertising will carry on at the eight publications.

Advance Publications, based in New York, belongs to the Newhouse family.