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Improving Communities and Increasing Opportunities

Never before has the practice of community development been more important than it is today. As the world grows smaller through the increased use of global communications, communities of all sizes are finding their boundaries are expanding beyond their city limits. CDI Texas provides practical, interactive, and comprehensive training designed to meet the needs of economic and community development professionals working in a fast paced environment. CDI Texas builds the capacity of individuals and communities to effectively and positively impact economic and social development.

Who Should Attend?

Participants include community and economic development practitioners, city, county and state officials and community volunteers, non-profit staff and board members, chamber staff, private industry, municipal districts, and academics will find the Institute a valuable learning tool for the development of individual and community leadership skills. Attendees will expand their ability to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration, and respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues.

CDI Texas Curriculum

The complete program consists of three, one-week training sessions. In addition to learning from successful practitioners, CDI also offers valuable networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Each CDI site offers the core curriculum courses listed below in addition to other course offerings based on site needs and demographics.

Year 1 -  March 1-4, 2027
Focus is on the foundations of community development and includes group simulations providing participants with a better understanding of the challenges and benefits of a community development approach.
•  Community Asset Mapping and Assessments
•  Community and Economic Development Practice
•  Community Strategic Visioning and Planning
•  Identifying and Developing Stakeholders, Leaders and Volunteers
•  Understanding Community Economies

Year 2 -  March 1-4, 2027
Emphasis is placed on the “nuts and bolts” of implementing economic development strategies, including business attraction, expansion and retention, and entrepreneurship. Exploration of commercial and industrial development projects and group simulations are learning tools for this course.
•  Building Entrepreneurial Communities
•  Business Attraction and Site Selection
•  Business Retention and Expansion
•  Community and Economic Development Finance
•  Quality of Place

Year 3 -  March 1-4, 2027
Focus is on implementing the knowledge gained in previous years plus acquiring skills in leadership, marketing and organizing the community development effort.
•   Community Leadership Development
•   Marketing Your Community
•   Measuring Community Progress
•   Workforce Planning and Development

CDI Advanced - March 3-4, 2027

CDI Texas Advanced will be held March 3-4, 2027, and focuses on applying proven community and economic development principles in real-world settings. It is ideal for CDI graduates and experienced practitioners seeking to stay current with emerging trends and best practices. Completion of this program is recognized by the Community Development Council (CDC) and counts toward education, training, and re-certification requirements.

Call for Proposals: CDI Texas 2027 Advanced Training

CDI Texas invites proposals for its 2027 Advanced Training, scheduled for March 3-4, 2027, at the Lone Star College System Office in The Woodlands, Texas. We seek engaging, interactive sessions that explore emerging trends in workforce development, sustainability, innovation, infrastructure and community-led strategies. Ideal presenters bring real-world expertise and a commitment to developing leaders through hands-on facilitation during this two-day workshop.

Proposal deadline: Sept. 15, 2026
Submission guidelines can be accessed here.

PCED Certification - March 5, 2027

Enhance your career by becoming a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). CDI helps prepare you for this nationally-recognized certification offered through the Community Development Council (CDC). Application and eligibility information are available at cdcouncil.com. Pre-registration for the exam is required 45 days in advance. The PCED is optional and not required for CDI attendance.

Registration and Attendance

The cost to attend CDI Texas is $600 and CDI Advanced course is $350. Registration covers training, participant materials, breakfast and refreshment breaks daily. Accommodations, lunch, and dinner costs are the responsibility of the participant. All sessions will be held at the Lone Star Community Building located at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.

Attendance at all sessions is required to earn full credit. If a participant misses more than 10 percent of the course sessions, credit for course completion will not be given. Completion of CDI earns one PCED certification or re-certification point.

CDI Across the Nation

CDI Texas is part of a national network of training sites endorsed by the Community Development Council (CDC), a nationally-recognized, non-profit organization with the mission of advancing the practice and profession of community development. For more information about the CDC and CDI site locations visit cdcouncil.com.