“Midwest CDI is perfect for the local economic developer. Skills learned at CDI can immediately be applied in your hometown.” Stepheny McMahon, Director
Sullivan, Illinois Chamber and Economic Development
Announcing 2008 CDI
August 11-15, 2008
Moline, Illinois
Stoney Creek Inn
What Is the Midwest CDI?
The Midwest Community Development Institute (CDI) is a comprehensive professional training program in community and economic development designed for development professionals, community leaders, and elected officials. CDI provides hands-on practical training that can be immediately applied to improving the economy and quality of life in communities.
Each CDI session lasts five days and the complete CDI program consists of attending three sessions, referred to as Year One, Year Two, and Year Three.
Year One, Year Two and Year Three will be offered concurrently, so participants register for only one.
Moline is the permanent home of the CDI and it will be held during the third week of August each year so that participants can plan ahead.
Hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
The Midwest CDI is organized by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University which is nationally recognized for its work in community and economic development.
Only CDI in the Midwest
The Midwest CDI is part of a national network of training sites that are endorsed by the Community Development Council. Created in 1987, there are only four other CDI sites in the country: Arkansas, Idaho, Texas, and West Virginia. Since the program's inception, more than 1,500 leaders from throughout the country have participated in CDI.
Small and midsized organizations and cities can access the professional training they need through Midwest CDI. Overhead costs are minimized so that participants get the best value for their training dollar. Communities that invest in Midwest CDI training for their staff or volunteers see immediate results.
Become Certified as a Professional Community and Economic Developer
Individuals who complete all three years are eligible to become Professional Community and Economic Developers (PCED), a professional certification available through the Community Development Council (ICDC). Click here for more information on certification.
Who Should Attend?
Individuals from chambers of commerce, local economic development organizations, grassroots organizations, nonprofit organizations, state and federal agencies, utility companies, banks, community volunteers, Extension educators, planners, municipal officials, and graduate students.
CDI has more impact when two or more leaders from the same community participate. Therefore we are encouraging multiple participants from the same community/region.
Training Goals
The Comprehensive curriculum is designed to meet the increasingly complex challenges facing community and economic developers and is applicable to towns and cities of all sizes. CDI develops an individual's ability to recognize community assets, set goals, build liaisons with outside agencies, stimulate community involvement, and bring groups together to enhance economic development and quality of life.
The Midwest CDI believes that community leaders and development professionals need to have both: 1) a deep understanding and strong skills at organizing community support for change, and 2) the technical knowledge and skills of economic development. In other words, we believe that community development and economic development are inseparable! Our goal is to provide the very best tools and options for community leaders so that they have the skills to navigate the development process to its fullest potential.
REGISTER TODAY
BECOME A BETTER COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPER |
