What We Do
The Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED) at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) provides training and technical assistance to communities around Arkansas to improve quality of life. The driving principle behind our work is that community development facilitates economic development and we strive to bring communities together to address the specific challenges facing their community and to assist in setting themselves up for long-term, sustainable success.
We also organize the Community Development Institute (CDI) which trains over 150 community leaders across the mid-south region in community and economic development. This three-year program that started in 1987 is the premier training program for community leaders looking to make a positive impact in their community with the proper tools and techniques to get it done.
Who We Work With
The CCED typically works with small to mid-sized communities in the state of Arkansas, but we are always looking to expand our horizons. The types of people we generally work with include:
Community Developers- Economic Developers
- Elected Officials
- Non-Profit Leaders and Board Members
- City Planners
- Chamber Officials
- Faith-Based Leaders
- Community Leaders
- Citizen Leaders
- UCA Students
If you are a UCA student, we know your time is precious and your schedule is packed, but keep in mind that there are many ways we can enhance your college experience: we can plug you into Graduate Programs, offer you an Internship or a Community Development Fellowship, and get you involved with a variety of Community Projects. Give us a shout to learn more about how we can assist you.
Get Connected
Check out our Services Page to see how we can be of help to your community. If you are interested in our services or customized assistance please reach out to us! To learn more about our premier training program, the Community Development Institute (CDI), journey to our CDI website. To access additional training opportunities we and other organizations around the state provide, review our Upcoming Events.
If you are interested in getting involved with our work or have any questions, please reach out to our team. Keep up with us on social media through our Facebook and Twitter pages. You can also sign up for our newsletter here to get periodic updates from our team right to your inbox.