CDI Central in Louisiana

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce is now a host of the Community Development Institute and we host the program right here in Bossier City.

This training, which will take place over the course of three weeks during the year, builds the capacity of individuals and communities to positively impact economic and social development. Participants move through the program in a cohort and are exposed to a comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community and economic development. Download our flyer to further explain the Institute HERE!

If you have an interest in making your community a better place to live, work, play and learn - we want YOU to experience CDI with us.

DIRECTORS: Jessica Hemingway, PCED, and Lisa Johnson are co-directors of the Louisiana site of CDI. Both have participated in three years of CDI Central as well as the advanced year course. Jessica has taken the test to certify as a Professional Community and Economic Developer, something attendees can do after completing the third round of training.

GRADUATES: The first cohort of CDI Central in Louisiana has graduated 24 individuals. 6 have already taken the PCED exam and PASSED, while other graduates are signed up to test in 2025!

INSTRUCTORS: The institute's faculty consists of development professionals from the corporate, academic, non-profit, and government sectors from across Louisiana and the mid-South.

CURRICULUM: Unique to this site, the CDI Central in Louisiana curriculum follows a fast-track approach, teaching all three weeks of the full CDI curriculum within one year. At our site, each "year" of training is designated to a certain week, instead of having all trainings running concurrently during a one week span. The curriculum is delivered through various formats including a combination of lecture, small group discussions, simulations, and individual projects. The focus is on active, rather than passive learning.

REGISTRATION: Interested in participating in 2026? You can register HERE!

Registration is $1,800 for the entire year - three sessions - of CDI.

DATES:Feb 24-27 (Year 1); June 8-11 (Year 2); September 28-Oct. 2 (Year 3)

PLACE: Thanks to our host sponsor - Louisiana Tech University - we will host all three sessions at the Louisiana Tech Academic Success Center building, 6220 E Texas Street, Building H of Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, LA 71111.

SPONSORS: We are currently looking for corporate sponsors to help us provide this training as well as donors to scholarship participants. Email Jessica for more information!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Check out the Community Development Council and other sites of CDI HERE! Read more about the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification HERE!