Information for Prospective Participants
If you are a CDI graduate and are interested in being a part of the 2018 CDI Advanced Year class, please register for CDI 2018 at uca.edu/cdi/registration
Information for Prospective Communities
The application period for the Community Kick Start Program is closed. Please contact cdi@uca.edu if you are interested in applying for future opportunities.
Kick Start Alma
The Center for Community and Economic Development worked with U of A Cooperative Extension and Dr. Mark Peterson in Alma during the CDI 2017 Advanced Year class. Alma was selected through a competitive process as the Kick Start Community for the 2017 Institute.
During CDI 2017, a group of professional community and economic professionals/CDI graduates assessed the city. Through their work, the city was provided with a report that will be used as the foundation of their community wide strategic action planning effort. UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development and U of A’s Cooperative Extension Service will assist Alma in holding community forums and constructing a core leadership group. Priority areas will be determined for the community based on input gather through a public survey.
Follow Alma’s progress here: Kick Start Alma
Read the printed/abridged report prepared by the Advanced Year Class here:
Read the full report prepared by the Advanced Year Class here:
A five year strategic action plan will be the ultimate take away for the city of Alma.
Kick Start Lonoke
The CDI 2016 Advanced Year class began working with Lonoke, AR during the first week of August. The class of economic and community development experts assessed the city through an online assessment, research-based assessment, driving tour, and speaking with community leaders and citizens. At the end of the week, the class presented their findings, observations, and “golden nuggets” to the community.
Moving forward, UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development and U of A’s Cooperative Extension Service assisted Lonoke in the creation of a strategic action plan. The plan was unveiled to the public on May 18, 2017.
Follow Lonoke’s progress here: Kick Start Lonoke
Watch the “Kick Start Lonoke” promotional video here.
View the final Action Plan here:
Read the report prepared by the Advanced Year Class here:
Kick Start Heber Springs
Learn more about Kick Start Heber Springs through the community’s Kick Start video, found here.
Read the report prepared by the Advanced Year Class here: Advanced Year Report
The Kick Start Heber Springs Action Plan: A Blueprint for the Future can be found here:
Kick Start Paris
Teaming up with Dr. Mark Peterson of the U of A Cooperative Extension, the Center for Community and Economic Development launched the 2014 CDI Advanced Year into the community of Paris, AR. Through months of community forums and intensive planning, the community created a plan for success that would drive them into a successful future.
Learn more about Kick Start Lonoke through the community’s Kick Start video, found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqqrbXSWPn8
The Paris Action Plan can be found here: Paris Action Plan