CDI Central

Your training resource for community and economic development. Join us for our 39th annual #CDIcentral July 28 - August 1, 2025.

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The #CDIcentral Keynote extends beyond learning, it’s a time when all CDI participants can connect. This year’s Keynote presentation by Zachary Benedict of MKM architecture + design focused on “Caring for the Campsite: Exploring a New Approach to Purposeful Placemaking.”

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✨🎶 #CDIcentral Year 1 Newtonia: “This is what dreeeeeeams are made of!” 🎶 ✨

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Each year Miller County elects a new county judge and three new mayors tasked with leading the county and its three communities to bright, prosperous futures… until they’re face with some “bumps” in the road.

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Join us for the #CDIcentral 2025 Silent Auction in Brewer Hegeman Conference Center! Funds raised help provide CDI scholarships.

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Camp #CDIcentral has officially kicked off with our Opening Ceremony! Here’s to a week full of learning, networking, and growth.

Thank you to University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis for welcoming our participants to campus! @ucabears

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The 24 hour countdown is on! We can’t wait to see the nearly 200 leaders that will gather next week to participate in the Community Development Institute (CDI) 2025.

Use #CDIcentral so we can keep up with your posts!

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Thank you to our phenomenal #CDIcentral 2025 sponsors!

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APAC is now accepting applications for the 2025 Arkansas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program!
This two-year leadership development program is designed for leaders across the public sector. The application dealing is July 25, 2025. Learn more/apply here: https://t.co/OEIMoSUd3d

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The Women’s Leadership Academy convened yesterday to explore community and economic development with our team at #CDIcentral. This year’s WLA cohort learned about CED basics, the Conductor, participated in a walking tour of downtown Conway, and participated in the Futures Game.

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Behind the scenes 📷
We can’t wait to share the impact of the Community Development Pipeline program! A few members of the Pipeline cohort sat down with us last week in NWA to share their experiences as we approach the wrap of their three-year journeys in fall 2025.

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Job alert! 📢

@UALR AEDI is searching for an Executive Director! This position sets AEDI's vision, drives sustainability, and leads the units of CED, Economic Research & Data Analysis, AR Data Center, GIS, and Emergency Management and Continuity. Apply: https://t.co/QHpmQVVlYi

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What a beautiful day to explore a high-impact, local nonprofit organization! #CDIcentral’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Fellows visited our friends at The City of Hope Outreach.

Learn more about COHO at: https://t.co/Zo6F9rmHO7

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A lunch with members of the Community Development Pipeline Program, a Futures Game simulation with the City of Centerton, and attending the “Higher Education’s Role in Workforce and Regional Growth” panel discussion, we were excited to have our own piece of #UCAinNWA this week!

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Conway is our happy place 🙂🎨

Community and Economic Development Fellow Dami Osundolire visited with Katie Wilson of Create Conway to learn about their mission, vision, and impact. Create Conway is building Conway’s reputation as a creative hub!

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Amazing things happen when we partner to create shared impact! Our staff worked with the Women's Leadership Network and NorthWest Arkansas Community College to host “Living the Life You Deserve” with Dr. Kristen Guillory for women leaders in Northwest Arkansas.

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#CDIcentral staff, alumni, and current participants are in full force at the 2025 Arkansas Community Development Society conference!

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Thanks to our partners (LeadAR, Leadership Arkansas, @_AEDCE, and ASU Delta Center) and our speakers (Trace Henley with Health Partners and the @Rockefeller) for supporting the 4th Annual Arkansas Leaders Consortium!

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Join us in celebrating FOUR new certified Professional Community and Economic Developers (PCED)! Congrats to Tracie Spivey with our team at #CDIcentral, Pamela Reed, Elijah Jackson, and Matthew Smith with @ArkansasEDC for passing the March PCED exam.

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The deadline for the AARP Community Challenge Grant is tomorrow, March 5, 4:00 p.m. CST.

To learn more and apply, visit https://t.co/UYgOH6lXjM

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Engaging young leaders in conversations about poverty and the ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) population is crucial if we want to continue uplifting those in need. Thanks to the Cabot Youth Leadership Council for inviting us to host a Poverty Simulation today!