The highly anticipated citizen journalism project from Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC) went live September 15, 2009. News can be accessed at http://www.therapidian.org

The project has been named The Rapidian. A steering committee worked with volunteers, a Facebook group of more than 300 people and dozens of Twitter followers to gather input on the name. The Rapidian was selected because it conveys a sense of place and is easily recognized by citizens who commonly call themselves "Grand Rapidians."

“To me, “Rapidian’--a reference to where we live--is one thing we can all claim in common, which then allows us to explore the great diversity and variety that we find in this locale,” said Jen Proctor on Facebook, a GRCMC board member and Grand Valley State University professor. “It celebrates Grand Rapids as a unique community where 'Rapidian' can mean many, many different things.”

Citizen reporters are currently being recruited. Training is set for September 3, 6 p.m. at Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids. Denise Cheng, citizen journalism coordinator for The Rapidian, has been recruited to be the “wrangler” for project. She has a background in journalism and community organizing. People interested in writing, photojournalism, videography and audio news reporting should contact Cheng at denise@grcmc.org to register for the session and other trainings. "Anyone with an interest in news reporting is welcome to participate," said George Wietor, project manager for The Rapidian."Government, the arts, schools, sports or neighborhood events-anything local is what we want to cover.”

Local design firm Plenty Creative created the logo for The Rapidian which is featured on the masthead of the Web site. In addition, news from citizen journalists will be used on WYCE Radio and GRTV where appropriate.

The Rapidian is funded by grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Grand Rapids Community Foundation and it joins a growing number of hyperlocal citizen journalism site across the US and in Michigan.