SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Mid-South Management Co., Inc., owner and operator of small newspapers across the Southeast, announced today an agreement in principle to sell its properties to Heartland Publications LLC of Old Saybrook, Conn.

The sale, for an undisclosed price, is expected to close in early June and includes four daily newspapers, three tri-weeklies, two semi-weeklies, and seven weeklies, plus a wine magazine and several shoppers and niche publications.

Andrew Babb, Mid-South's president and owner of Crescent Media Group, whose properties were included in the sale, said the transaction was brought about by his family's desire "to find a partner that shares our philosophy and could provide the resources necessary to strengthen our publications in serving their communities."

The publications are in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

Spartanburg-based Mid-South was started in 1953 by Babb's grandfather, Phil Buchheit. Babb's mother, Phyllis Delapp, is chairman of the board.

Heartland CEO Michael Bush said his company is "very excited to be expanding our company’s southern footprint through our acquisition of this group of fine community newspapers. Their commitment to quality journalism and community affiliation matches our own. We intend on building upon their great legacy of community service and journalistic integrity by providing additional marketing and internet services."

Heartland, which was formed in 2004, has rapidly grown to own 32 newspapers, mostly in the Southeast and Midwest. The addition of the Mid-South/Crescent Media operations brings the total to 48 paid-circulation newspapers.

"We are an acquisition-minded company that seeks to own and operate newspapers in good communities," Bush said. "Having previously done business with Andrew and Phyllis, we know to take care and honor their legacy. We believe in the newspapers and the communities we are adding to our Heartland family."

Heartland is owned by The Wicks Group of Companies and Wachovia Capital Partners. Wicks is a New York-based private equity firm focused on selected segments of the communications, information and media industries. Wachovia Capital Partners, based in Charlotte, N.C., is the principal investing arm of Wachovia Corp.