About Us

The Batavian was launched on May 1, 2008, by Publisher Howard Owens
and serves the community of Genesee County, New York

Genesee County #1
News Source

“Everybody reads The Batavian.” We hear it every day. If you’re a local business owner, you know it’s true. You hear it, too.

The Batavian has been popular in Genesee County since its first year of existence with a larger local audience than any other online news source.

Originally conceived by Publisher Howard Owens, The Batavian was at first an experimental project in online-only news for GateHouse Media (now merged with Gannett) but when GateHouse abandoned the project on Feb. 28, 2008, Owens relaunched The Batavian the next day. He and his wife sold their home in Pittsford and moved to Batavia with enough money in the bank to pay the bills for three months. Owens calculated he needed to sign 40 local businesses up for sponsorships before the money ran out. That was an unheard-of number of advertisers on a local news site at the time.

Today, more than 150 local businesses support The Batavian with their sponsorships.

Award-Winning

2018 City of Batavia Business of the Year
2013 BID “Spirit of Downtown” award winner
2009 Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Genesee County
2010 General Excellence, runner-up, Inland Press Association
2018 Best Education Writer, Howard Owens, New York Press Association
2018 Best Spot News Photography, Howard Owens, New York Press Association

Professional Graphic Arts, Ad Management, and Service

Lisa Ace

Creative Manager

She’s a resident of Batavia who has a wealth of experience in marketing and graphic design. Ace, originally from Utica, N.Y., moved to Batavia years ago to attend Genesee Community College. She stayed after meeting her husband Chris, a native of Stafford, N.Y. After they got married, they decided to stay in Genesee County. Lisa has worked locally in marketing and graphics for different companies. She’s also done freelance work for a variety of clients. She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Buffalo State College. Her hobbies include making beaded jewelry, baking, and her three cats.