The recession took its toll on the Community Broadcasters Association, which has represented more than 2,800 Class A and low-power TV stations for more than two decades, Broadcasting & Cable reports.

CBA announced Thursday that it shut its doors on July 15 and canceled a planned fall trade show. It said the closure was due to the cost of recent regulatory battles, including the fight for DTV converter boxes to include analog pass-through, and the recession.

In announcing CBA’s demise, former executive director Amy Brown said some 40% of its membership might have to shut down as well in the next year if they don’t get help with the digital conversion.

–Elizabeth Jensen