Elected officials, development professionals and nonprofit leaders convened at the University of Central Arkansas in August to participate in the 30th Annual Community Development Institute (CDI) on the UCA campus.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson opened the session with special remarks applauding the participants for their dedication to economic growth.
“I look out here and I see people who are engaged in economic development every day at the state level but also those from small communities across Arkansas,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve never been more optimistic about the direction of Arkansas. You are the reason it is happening, so I’m here to applaud you.”
CDI participants progress through the professional development program in class cohorts by attending one week of training each year for three years. Participants attend innovative class simulations, instructor-led presentations and community tours, as well as group discussions and case studies. Nearly 120 individuals from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas participated in the five-day training session held on August 1-5, 2016. To date, more than 1,600 individuals have participated in CDI and more than 900 individuals have graduated from the three-year program.
Shelley Mehl, associate vice president for Outreach and Community Engagement, said, “We are proud of the long history of CDI and its impact in our state and region. CDI strengthens our division’s efforts to offer knowledge, expertise and research to communities looking to improve community and economic development. With leadership from the CDI staff and advisory board, we will continue that support into the future.”