Local Developer Completes Community Development Institute
CONWAY, AR. — Brandi Schulz, Executive Director of the Cave City Area Chamber of Commerce and Program Director for The Heart of Cave City (Main Street Arkansas), has recently completed the Year 2 Class of the 40th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on July 31, 2026.
CDI trains community leaders and economic development professionals on how to strengthen their local economies and build communities. This is achieved by developing the ability of participants to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, and bring communities, organizations, and businesses together to respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues.
The complete institute experience is a three-year program, with one week of training per year. Participants move through the program curriculum in cohorts and are exposed to a comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community and economic development.
UCA is the birthplace of the Community Development Institute, which started in 1987 in partnership with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. Since that time, CDIs have been established in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, Delaware, and Louisiana, and a national governing and certification body, the Community Development Council, has been created.
