Wick Communications , the parent company of the Montrose Daily Press and Delta County Independent is  funded by Google to create a journalist-curated, hyper local social media platform to develop critical community connection.

The news came as part of Google’s larger announcement of recipients of its inaugural North America Google News Initiative (GNI) Challenge funding to support projects that drive digital innovation and develop new business models. The GNI is funding 34 projects, selected from a highly competitive process of 269 applications across North America.

Wick’s Neighborhood Assisted Bureau Reporting (NABUR) project will establish a responsible, journalist-curated neighborhood social media platform for Wick-served communities based out of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Tucson. “We’re honored to be recipients of the inaugural GNI Challenge, assisting our advancement of community information and connections through a locally monitored, socially responsible neighborhood platform,” said Francis Wick, president and CEO of Wick Communications.

 “The popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook and Nextdoor demonstrates there is an interest in a conversation-first approach to local news and information,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, Wick Digital Media Director. “In our pilot usability testing, though, potential subscribers have indicated a willingness to provide financial support for local content that provides context and answers the why and the how of these conversations.”

Wick Editorial Director Dan Shearer sees a unique opportunity for traditional newsrooms in the digital space. “We’ve observed that social media seems to generate more questions than it answers,” Shearer said. “Our journalists are trained to find the answers to these questions.”

 "As media continues to navigate a changing and complex environment, Wick will continue to work on new opportunities to serve our local audiences," he said. "We may not always succeed, but not trying is definitive in itself.”