The Cave City Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, Brandi Schulz, has finished her first year of study at the University of Central Arkansas’ Community Development Institute.
Now in its 39th year, the program prepares economic development specialists and community leaders to boost local economies and enhance quality of life. Participants gain knowledge about recognizing community resources, establishing objectives, promoting teamwork, and tackling financial difficulties.
With one week of rigorous training annually, the entire institute lasts for three years. Cohorts of participants progress through the program and acquire useful skills for their local communities.
According to Schulz, CDI equips communities with the information and resources they require to prosper. As we continue to improve our local economy and the standard of living for our residents, I can’t wait to put the connections and tactics I’ve learned from CDI into practice.
A 2025 scholarship from the Arkansas Community Development Society, a nonprofit organization that encourages cooperation, research, and public participation in community development, helped Schulz attend.
Schulz expressed gratitude to ACDS for facilitating this workshop and for helping those of us striving to improve our communities.
In 1987, UCA established the Community Development Institute in collaboration with Entergy. Since then, more institutes have been founded under the national Community Development Council in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, and Delaware.
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