The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University will sponsor the Midwest Community Development Institute (CDI) from Monday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 12 in Springfield, Illinois.

According to John Gruidl, IIRA Professor and Director of the Midwest CDI, the institute will give community leaders and community development professionals a chance to learn the latest techniques for expanding and improving their communities. This year's sessions have a special emphasis on creating jobs through entrepreneurship.

The Midwest CDI is part of an international network of accredited institutions teaching community development techniques and conferring profession certification through the International Community Development Council. There are four other CDI sites in the country: Arkansas, West Virginia, Texas and Idaho. The Illinois site is the only one in the Midwest, Gruidl added. Community developers can earn professional certification through the training program.

"It is an honor for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs to host this CDI," said Gruidl said. "I have attended the Texas CDI and have seen the tremendous value it has for city officials, chambers of commerce, civic leaders and community development professionals. The participants came from both large and small communities and all found the content useful."

CDI develops an individual's ability to recognize community assets, set goals, build liaisons with outside agencies, stimulate community involvement and bring groups together to enhance economic development and the quality of life, he explained. The Midwest CDI is targeting those who are interested in making a difference in their communities through community and economic development.

The weeklong Midwest CDI will feature variety of speakers from across the country who are experts in community and economic development, including featured speaker Craig Schroeder from the National Center of Rural Entrepreneurship in Lincoln, NE. Schroeder will discuss best practices and give examples of communities with thriving entrepreneurial environments.

Registration for the one-week institute is $450, which includes classes, materials, refreshment breaks, lunches, a closing dinner and a field trip. Enrollment is limited. To register online or for more information visit www.midwestcdi.org; call Gruidl or Molly Davies at 309/298-1710; e-mail [email protected].

Related Link: Midwest Community Development Institute

For more information contact:

John Gruidl
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Western IL University
1 University Circle
Macomb
IL 61455
USA

Phone: 309-298-2984
Fax: 309-298-2142
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.midwestcdi.org