Little Rock, AR — Donnie Chambers, Business Development Manager at Performance Services, has completed the first year of training at the 39th Annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August 1, 2025.
CDI trains community leaders and economic development professionals on how to strengthen their local economies and build vibrant, resilient communities. This is achieved by developing the ability of participants to identify community assets, set strategic goals, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and bring communities, organizations, and businesses together to respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues.
The complete institute experience is a three-year 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.
Chambers’ participation in the program supports his role at Performance Services, where he works closely with communities across Arkansas to build trusted partnerships and deliver high-performing facilities and infrastructure solutions for local governments, K-12 schools, and higher education campuses.
“CDI gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges and priorities facing communities across Arkansas,” said Chambers. “It’s helping me grow as a more informed and collaborative partner to communities throughout the state. I’m excited to bring that insight back to our work at Performance Services—where every project is an opportunity to improve quality of life, strengthen local economies, and foster civic engagement in the communities we’re honored to serve.”
UCA is the birthplace for the Community Development Institute, which started in 1987 in partnership with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. Since that time, CDIs have been established in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, Illinois, and Delaware, and a national governing and certification body, the Community Development Council, has been created.
To learn more about the Community Development Institute, visit www.uca.edu/cdi.
