July 20-24, 2026
Community Development Institute West
Empowering People, Strengthening Communities.
$625 Registration Fee – Closes July 10, 2026
About the Institute
Empowering People. Strengthening Communities.
Formerly known as the Northwest Community Development Institute, the Community Development Institute West (CDI West) preserves a long-standing tradition of delivering one of the most educational and inspiring community development training programs in the country. The new name reflects a broader regional reach and growing network of partners across the Western United States, while maintaining the same high-quality, memorable experience participants have enjoyed for years.
What you’ll Gain
Same Goals, New Hosts
CDI West is presented by the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC). In cooperation with previous CDI host, Idaho Department of Commerce and Business Oregon, WRDC is excited to provide event management, regional insight, and new opportunities for engagement.
With a top‑tier curriculum and world‑class trainers, CDI West offers a transformative experience designed to give you the tools and confidence to address complex challenges in your community and region. Participants gain practical information, fresh perspectives, and immediately applicable skills. The program also provides valuable opportunities to network with peer professionals from across the West, allowing you to share knowledge, projects, and lived experiences.
After completing all three years of CDI West, participants are eligible to complete the exam for Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) certification, further demonstrating their commitment to excellence in community and economic development.
Why now
This Training Matters Now More than Ever
CDI West offers training in the essentials of creating healthy communities and economies – critical to survive and thrive in a time of shifting funding, policies and priorities. The Rural West needs increased local capacity, civic engagement and leadership development; new revenue and cooperative models; strong civic institutions; and a sense of shared responsibility and local ownership—all strategies covered at CDI West.
Is this Conference Right for You?
Who Comes to CDI West? People Like You Who Are Ready to Make a Difference
If you support communities, whether through economic development, housing, livability, education, business, government, or local grassroots initiatives—CDI West is where you’ll find the tools and peer networks to help you lead more effectively. Participants come from all
corners of the West, bringing diverse experiences and a shared purpose: to build stronger, more vibrant communities.
In general, you’ll fit right in if you identify with any of the following:
Community & Economic Development
Housing and Community Access
Policy Makers & Elected Officials
Government, Tribal and Civic Leaders
Nonprofit Organization Staff & Leadership
Extension Educators & University Faculty
Business & Industry Representatives
Community Volunteers & Board Members
Whether you’re new to community development or an experienced leader, CDI West equips you with actionable skills, proven tools, and a strong regional network.
CDI West is endorsed by the Community Development Council (CDC) and was recognized by Community Development Society International for superior programming that exemplifies and positively influences community development practice.
Program & Curriculum
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION LEVELS, NATIONAL ACCREDITATION,
& CDI WEST AGENDAS
CDI West is part of a national network of Community Development Institutes governed by the Community Development Council (CDC). For information on the other Institutes, see the CDC website.
Each CDI site offers the core curriculum courses (listed below) in addition to other course offerings based on site needs and demographics. The program can be completed in subsequent years at the same site location or by fast tracking to multiple sites within the CDI network in a single year or more.
One of the best parts of CDI was meeting people from different communities who all care about making their communities stronger. I learned a lot from their experiences and ideas, and those conversations were a big part of what made the program so worthwhile. I left feeling encouraged, energized, and with ideas I could use in my own work.” – Monica Hampton, Idaho
All core curriculum topics are based on the Community Development Handbook, which participants are provided digitally during Year 1 of CDI (included in registration costs). The core curriculum is the foundation of the Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) exam. Graduates of CDI interested in becoming PCED certified can learn more about the PCED exam and certification on the CDC website.
Year 1: Foundations
Year One focuses 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: Implementation
Year Two emphasizes the “nuts and bolts” of implementing economic development strategies, including business attraction, expansion and retention, and entrepreneurship.
Overviews 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: Leadership
Year Three centers 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
Advanced Course – July 20-22, 2026
Participants in the advanced course apply community and economic development principles in a real-world setting, guided by experienced and economic assessment leaders. This multiple-day training is designed for individuals who have completed all three years of CDI. Completion of the Advanced CDI course is recognized by the CDC for education requirements, training, work experience, and eligibility criteria for re-certification.
NOTE: The Advanced Course is a focused 3-day intensive, at the same $625 registration fee.
Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) Exam
July 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. Applications to complete the Professional Community and Economic Development (PCED) exam must be submitted to the CDC a minimum of 45 days prior to the testing date.
Secure your Spot
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Please note that participants must move through the program sequentially from Year 1 to Year 3. To attend the Advanced Year, participants must be CDI graduates.
Full attendance at all CDI sessions is required to earn 3.5 continuing education units (CEU) per year toward PCED certification eligibility. Any absences must be pre‑approved by the Director on a case‑by‑case basis. Please contact wrdc@uidaho.edu to request approval.
$625
Registration Fee
Registration closes July 10, 2026
Group Registration & Invoice Payment
Organizations registering multiple attendees may request a single invoice. During registration, select “Yes” to the question “Does your organization prefer to pay for multiple attendees at once?” This will remove the online payment step and prompt you to provide the name and email of the billing contact.
Each attendee should complete their own registration using the same billing contact information. Our team will then confirm the number of registrants and issue one invoice to the designated contact.
Institute Scholarships Available
A limited number of scholarships are available to reduce the registration fee. Scholarships are typically $200 applied toward registration; however, the amount depends upon demand and availability of funds. Preference is given to scholarship applicants from rural, community-based organizations (as opposed to state or federal agencies) and communities/ counties sending two or more participants to CDI West. We recognize the benefits of having multiple people from the same community attending CDI West.
To receive first consideration for scholarships, applicants must register by May 22, 2026. Applicants in this group will be notified by June 3, 2026. Additional scholarships may be awarded on a rolling basis after the first consideration deadline, as funding allows.
If you apply for a scholarship, payment is deferred while applications are under review. After scholarship decisions are finalized, you will be notified and receive an invoice for any remaining registration balance.
Payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date to complete registration. Failure to pay by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the scholarship and cancellation of registration.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your registration, a refund (less a $60 administrative fee) will be issued for cancellations received on or before July 10, 2026. Cancellations received after July 10, 2026, will be charged 100% of the registration fee. To request a refund, contact wrdc@uidaho.edu.
Institute Administration and Program Changes
The Western Rural Development Center reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or combine class sections; limit registration; or change instructors.
getting there
Travel & Lodging
The Riverside Hotel
2900 W Chinden Blvd
Garden City, ID 83714, USA
Hotel block information coming soon!
Individual room reservations may be cancelled or changed without charge up to 24-hours prior to arrival.
For additional hotel information, onsite restaurant options and amenities visit The Riverside Hotel website.
The Boise Airport (BOI) is located 5 miles from the hotel. To arrange a complimentary ride from the airport to the hotel, call the hotel at 208-343-1871.
Tomorrow’s Leaders
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Community Development Institute West (CDI West) equips current and emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to strengthen communities across the Western United States. Through applied training and peer learning, CDI West supports the development of resilient local economies, a high quality of life, and inclusive, engaged leadership.
CDI West 2026, hosted by the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC), offers organizations a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to professional development and to the long‑term vitality of rural and community development efforts throughout the West.
While WRDC provides core support for CDI West, additional sponsorships are essential to ensure broad access, high‑quality programming, and a strong participant experience. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 institute are now available, and sponsors will be recognized throughout the Institute, so participants clearly understand who helped make CDI West possible.
Your Investment Will
Learn More about our Sponsorship Opportunities
Support CDI West
For more information about sponsorship opportunities for CDI West 2026, please contact:
wrdc@uidaho.edu or 208-885-6762.
Fiscal handling for CDI West is administered by the Extension Foundation. Donations to CDI West, made through the Extension Foundation, are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
how can we help
Questions About the Conference?
Contact the WRDC team at wrdc@uidaho.edu or 208-364-4605.