CDI Central

08/21/2026

Preparing for My Netflix Documentary: 2026 Year 2 (the self-proclaimed "best class ever)

An exclusive peek behind the curtain at what happens during CDI Year 2.

08/21/2026

A critical, but often overlooked piece of the workforce pipeline is early learning. To gain a better understanding of early learning in Arkansas, the Arkansas Research Center at UCA has released the 2026 Early Development Instrument (EDI) data, along with refreshed dashboards and new interactive learning modules. The updated tools make it easier to explore local data, identify patterns, and use EDI findings to support conversations and action in communities.

Read more and explore the new EDI resources at the link below:

The Early Development Instrument (EDI) helps Arkansas communities get a clear picture of how young children are developing in their neighborhoods. This population-level tool looks at five key areas of child development: physical health, emotional maturity, social competence, language and cognitive s...

08/20/2026

Want a REAL behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at ? Check out the CDI 2026 Year 1 class video that premiered at the CDI 2026 Closing Session and Awards Ceremony.

Our 2026 Year 1 class consisted of 64 community leaders from Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma from diverse backgrounds. They engaged in learning, simulations, and networking; growing as leaders while discovering tools and information to create positive impacts in their communities and organizations.

08/18/2026

The Ernest Whitelaw Award recognizes a member of the Year 3 graduating class for exemplifying the following points: dedication to professional community development practice; proven involvement in the CDI educational experience, demonstrated by enthusiastic individual and group class participation, willingness to assume leadership roles and regular class attendance; a spirit of caring and inclusion shown by a willingness to assist, enable and involve fellow students in the CDI experience; and strong personal integrity.

The award winner is selected by their peers at the end of the CDI training week.

Congratulations to the CDI 2026 Ernest Whitelaw Award winner Tannella Gauthreaux-Foster of Entergy Arkansas!

08/14/2026

Gary Bass of the Jefferson Davis County Economic Development Association was chosen by his classmates as the 2026 Year 2 Class Champion. Rashad Woods of ARVAC and the City Of Dardanelle City Council was chosen by his classmates as the CDI 2026 Year 1 Class Champion.

Both Gary and Rashad were nominated by their cohorts for being engaged, concerned, committed, compassionate and inclusive, and demonstrating leadership that inspires and unites during the week of CDI 2026. Congratulations to these two amazing community leaders!

08/13/2026

Regional collaboration is essential to creating innovative, impactful workforce solutions.

Today we lean into that fact through the “Workforce Solutions Lab: The Case for Quality Jobs, Skills-Based Hiring and Apprenticeships” hosted in partnership with our team at the University of Central Arkansas, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Western Arkansas Planning & Development District, and the Northeast Oklahoma Regional Alliance in Fort Smith at the Peak Innovation Center.

08/05/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! The following community leaders graduated from the Community Development Institute:

- Adriana Fuetes Archila of ACC Capital
- Mayor Ethan Barnes of the City of Hardy
- Malik Barnes of Americans For Action
- Baylea Birchfield-Renfrow of City of Bentonville
- Christy Burns of Hope Chamber of Commerce
- Amy Burton of Main Street Searcy
- Georganna Cossey of Arkansas Economic Development Commission
- Susie Cowan of The Creek Media
- Keith Cox of the City of Bryant
- Heather Edwards of Restore Hope
- Amy Finster of FARCO
- Tannella Gauthreaux-Foster of Entergy Arkansas
- Jessica Grady of City of Bella Vista
- Mayor Kasey Griffin of City of Heber Springs
- Rickey Gulley of Marine Corps League
- LaTaaka Harvey of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
- Chad Hearne of University of Central Arkansas
- Karen Hicks of El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce
- Mayor Lisa Hicks-Gilbert of City of Elaine
- Will Hopkins of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
- Rachel Jenkins of Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
- Rebecca Kidder of City of Bryant
- Walter Lambert of Northwest Texas SBDC
- Christie Lindsey of Phoenix Youth & Family Services
- Quan Moore of Entergy Arkansas
- Mallory Nelson of the Little Rock Regional Chamber
- Shannon Newerth-Henson of City of Van Buren
- Shellie O'Quinn of HALF Associates
- Stephen Partridge of the State of Arkansas
- Courtney Roberts of Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Inc.
- Venesha Sasser of Lafayette County Economic Development Authority
- Megan Selman of Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Contrena Smith of Division of Services for the Blind
- Kelli Souter of City of Magnolia
- Nick Stevens of University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Mayor David Streeter of City of Hamburg
- Nicole Vogler of City of Maumelle
- Brody Wamble of Simmons Bank
- Vanessa Weeks of Howard County Economic Development
- Darrell Welch of Forward Searcy
- LJ Wesley of City of Maumelle
- Beth Wilson of City of Marion
- Jacqueline Wolven of Main Street Eureka

08/04/2026

Join us in celebrating the CDI 2026 Bill Miller Award winner Dr. Shaneil Ealy of the Women's Leadership Network and Friend of CDI Award winner the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and Conway Development Corporation!

08/03/2026

Congratulations to three new Professional Community and Economic Developers (PCED): Baylea Birchfield-Renfrow of The City of Bentonville Arkansas, Nick Stevens of University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Marcia White of Simmons Bank!

Join us in celebrating these three alums on this accomplishment! 🎉🎉🎉

08/02/2026

Behind the scenes of 2026 Part III 🎥