The University of Central Arkansas’ Community Development Institute (CDI) received a $3,000 grant award from Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, with support from Ark. Rep. Fredrick J. Love.
The $3,000 award will support rural community leaders in Arkansas. This funding will allow six community leaders to attend their final year at CDI and graduate from the program at CDI’s 30th Annual Institute in August 2016.
“The Community Development Institute is a critical piece of growing the knowledge of community leaders on how to do community and economic development the ‘right way.’ I will continue to support UCA and CDI because the tools community leaders learn is vital to ensure rural Arkansas as well as rural American communities continue to thrive,” said Love.
“We are grateful for Rep. Love’s continued support of CDI,” said Amy Whitehead, CDI director. “He recognizes the need for rural leaders to receive the training to make a positive impact in Arkansas. This funding will allow the past recipients to complete the CDI curriculum and return to their communities fully prepared to make a difference.”
Love previously awarded CDI $5,000 in 2013 to be used for scholarships for rural Arkansas community leaders and elected officials to attend training at CDI. He is serving his third term in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
ABOUT UCA’s COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
The Community Development Institute (CDI) began at the University of Central Arkansas in 1987, with the goal of equipping community leaders and economic development professionals with the tools and strategies they needed to create vibrant, successful communities. Over 28 years later, CDI is still the go-to resource for training.
For four days each year, professionals from Arkansas and surrounding states come to CDI for applied training in community and economic development. Attendees are taught practical tools and techniques by experienced practitioners they can take back to their communities to make an immediate difference. The CDI experience is a three year training program, with one week of training per year.
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For more information about CDI, visit uca.edu/cdi, or contact Josh Markham at 501-450-3460 or joshm@uca.edu.
