The CDI curriculum gives participants a core body of knowledge and skills in community and economic development. The complete curriculum consists of three five-day sessions, or "years". Year One covers the basic elements of community and economic development, such as community development principles, strategic visioning and planning, entrepreneurship, and facilitation skills. Furthermore, the New Town community simulation offered in Year One helps participants relate fundamentals to real community situations.

Year Two
focuses on the "nuts and bolts" of implementing specific projects, such as how to market your community, how to write a successful grant proposal, how to establish a business retention and expansion program, and how to begin a brownfield redevelopment. Furthermore, Year Two will expand the networks of participants by introducing them to staff members from many resource organizations.

Year Three
focuses on managing the development organization and other specialized topics. Participants learn skills in managing development organizations, such as how to start a development organization, working with the media and board, and operate in the political arena. Participants also receive training on special issues, such as computer mapping, analyzing a business financial statement, and land use planning and zoning.

CDI's ultimate goal is individuals who are passionate, exited, and skilled in their profession. After completing three years of CDI, participants can choose to earn designation as a Professional Community and Economic Developer. Year One, Year Two, and Year Three sessions will be offered concurrently in 2008.

Year One

• Community Development Principles and Practices
• Building an Effective Team
• Asset-Mapping and Identifying Stakeholders
• Community Assessment
• Leadership and stakeholder identification
• Strategic Visioning and Planning
• Diversity and multi-cultural communication
• Managing and Motivating Volunteers
• Attracting and Financing Private Investment
• Facilitation Skills

Year Two

• Globalization and Its Impact on Community Development
• Project Finance
• Fund-raising and Community Foundations
• Nuts and Bolts of Putting Together a Development Deal
• Financing and Negotiating a Private Investment Deal
• How Companies Make Site Selection Decisions
• Making Your Community Development- Ready
• Diversity and Intercultural Communication
• What Your Community Needs to Know About Information Technology
• Mobilizing Your Community to Action
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Entrepreneurship and Community Support for Entrepreneurs
• Brownfield redevelopment
• The site selection process

Year Three

• Planning for physical infrastructure improvements
• Globalization and its impact on community development
• Downtown and retail development
• Personality types and communication
• Workforce Development
• Managing the development organization
• Dealing with the media
• The Private Sector Perspective on Economic Development
• Certification exam review

Become Certified as a Professional Community and Economic Developer!
Individuals who complete all three years are eligible to become Professional Community and Economic Developers, a professional certification available through the Community Development Council (www.cdcouncil.com). The criteria for certification include work experience, education, training, and an examination.

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