MIDWEST CDI CURRICULUM
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, how businesses make site selection and expansion decisions, and how to begin a brownfield redevelopment.
Year Three focuses how to effectively manage your development group and put it all together. Participants learn skills in how to start and maintain a successful development organization, how to market your community and organization, how to work with the media and board. Participants also receive training on special issues, such as computer mapping (GIS), analyzing a business financial statement, community sustainability, and land use planning and zoning.
After completing three years of CDI, participants are well-prepared for the examination to become a Professional Community and Economic Developer.
