News

Contact: Josh Markham
Telephone: 501-450-3460
Fax: 501-450-5277
Email: joshm@uca.edu

UCA selects Heber Springs for Community Development Institute Program
Conway -Heber Springs was selected to host the University of Central Arkansas’ Community Development Institute Advanced Year program in August 2015. Heber Springs was selected through a competitive process of potential communities seeking to work with the Community Development Institute (CDI).
The Advanced Year class of CDI focuses on the application of community and economic development principles in a real-world setting. As the 2015 CDI Community, Heber Springs will receive a current assessment of the community’s challenges and opportunities, with recommendations on how to utilize local assets. “We are very pleased the CDI has chosen Heber Springs for this comprehensive study to help guide us in a positive direction of economic growth and promotion of our natural resources,” said Heber Springs Mayor Jimmy Clark.
The CDI Advanced Year is a cooperative program between UCA and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office Breakthrough Solutions Program. As a result, Heber Springs will have the opportunity to receive follow-up assistance from UCA, the U of A Cooperative Extension Service, and Breakthrough Solutions partners through 2016.
“We are so excited to be selected by CDI as the Advanced Year Community.  Heber Springs has a remarkable quality of life and spectacular natural beauty with Greers Ferry Lake, the Little Red River, waterfalls and hiking trails. We are currently perfectly poised for both economic and community development. To have the professional insight and guidance from a group like CDI is priceless and we can’t wait to see the impact we know this experience will have on the growth and prosperity of Heber Springs,” said Julie Murray, Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

ABOUT UCA’s COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
The Community Development Institute, established in 1987 at the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, Arkansas, trains community and economic development professionals from Arkansas and surrounding states. The complete CDI experience is a three year training 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.
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH SOLUTIONS
Breakthrough Solutions is a partnership program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, with the purpose of building vibrant, sustainable communities and regions in the 21st century economy.  The partners host an annual conference and work with communities and regions, assisting them to leverage their assets and realize their desired futures.
###
For more information about CDI, visit uca.edu/cdi, or contact Josh Markham at 501-450-3460 or joshm@uca.edu.