Gov. Hutchinson opens 30th annual CDI

Elected officials, development professionals, and non-profit leaders convened at the University of Central Arkansas Monday to participate in the Community Development Institute (CDI) on the campus.

This is the 30th annual CDI, which runs from August 1-5. To commemorate three decades of educating community leaders, Gov.Asa Hutchinson opened the session with special remarks.

“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. “It really shows the interest and the strength of economic development and how important it is to our communities.

“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.”

Several other special events are planned for the week:

• Ed McMahon, senior resident fellow with the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. will be this year’s keynote speaker on Wednesday, August 3 at 2:45 p.m. His keynote address will highlight “The Secrets of Successful Communities.” He will also present a similar talk for the Conway community in a lunch-and-learn format at UCA Downtown at 11 a.m. The event is free but registration is required.
• The 30th Annual CDI Celebration Luncheon is planned for Thursday, August 4 at noon, with Ted Abernathy, managing partner of Economic Leadership LLC. He will speak on “Disruptive Technology and its Impact on Workforce Development.”
• A cohort of community and economic development professionals will travel to Lonoke, Arkansas on Tuesday, August 2 and Thursday, August 4 to provide an outside assessment of the community that will kick-start a 10-month development process in the community.

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.”

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, community tours and participate in group discussions and case studies.

About CDI
The Community Development Institute, established in 1987 at the University of Central Arkansas, trains community and economic development professionals from Arkansas and the mid-south. CDI is part of UCA’s Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, and helps UCA fulfill its mission of lifelong learning and public service.