What this site wants to be when it grows up

The web has made community/citizen/participatory journalism possible and even profitable. If I didn't have a full-time job, I'd be turning this blog into a community-journalism website. Anyone want to partner?

The community site I like the most are: ibrattleboro.com, covering all angles of news in small-town Brattleboro, VT. What's unique about this sites is that the primary news and commentary is user-generated. So instead of having just one voice, you have the voices of many, all in the same place. Anyone who registers can post, and be heard right away. Anyone can comment on any post. The community is lightly-monitored by the webmaster, to ensure a base level of good conduct, but it's otherwise self-regulated. This website was created by a local web developer, so he's able to parlay his web design skills into an investment with this online community.

There are other folks taking hyper-local news to the next (read corporate) level. The BackFence project sprouting up near Washington DC looks promising. They say they've gotten $3 million in upfront financing to start a nationwide network of sites.