Connie Wimer, owner and publisher of Business Publications Corp., this morning announced the sale of the company to Brown Media Holdings. Business Publications, founded by Wimer more than 25 years ago, publishes the Des Moines Business Record, dsm magazine and a variety of other niche and custom publications.

Janette Larkin, who had been BPC’s associate publisher, was elevated to the position of publisher. Wimer will remain with the local company as chairman until 2010. Roy Brown, president and CEO of the acquiring company, addressed the Des Moines staff this morning and said all existing staff positions will be retained here. Terms of the transaction, which was finalized last Friday, were not announced.

“As a business owner, I believe two of the greatest days are the day you decide to build what you love and the day you commit to ensuring it continues long after you are gone,” Wimer said. “With the news we are sharing today, I hope our employees and the communities we serve appreciate knowing there is a thoughtful succession plan that ensures the continued success of Business Publications when I retire in a couple of years.”

Brown Media Holdings is a division of Ohio-based Brown Publishing Co. Founded in 1920, Brown Publishing is a third-generation family-owned company with headquarters in Cincinnati. It owns 18 daily newspapers, 28 weekly newspapers and 26 free weeklies, primarily in rural and suburban markets. Roy Brown said this acquisition is part of a strategic plan to diversify into the business journal market. Last month, the company purchased the Texas-based Fort Worth Business Press and the Long Island, N.Y.-based Dan’s Papers Inc.