BOSSIER CITY, La. — A national community development training program based in Bossier City has been redesignated as an independent site and renamed Community Development Institute Louisiana, marking a milestone after two years of operation.
Previously known as CDI Central in Louisiana, the program was elevated to full site status following a vote last week during the Community Development Council’s annual meeting. The Council oversees seven Community Development Institute sites nationwide and approved the transition from a satellite site to a standalone Louisiana location.
The Louisiana site is hosted by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and has completed two cohorts since launching in 2024. During that time, 39 leaders graduated from the program and 11 participants earned the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification. Those certifications increased the total number of PCED holders in Louisiana from six to 16 in two years.
As part of the Council’s actions, CDI Louisiana co-director Jessica Hemingway was named vice chair of the Community Development Council for 2026.
“Community Development Institute in Louisiana has been flourishing and we are glad to see the Council has confidence in our ability to train leaders as an independent site,” said Lisa Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. “The mission of CDI is a critical training to the success of our region and state. As we start to see new companies come in and we look to bring more people to our area, CDI is equipping community leaders with the tools needed to grow successful communities.”
The Community Development Institute is a national program that includes three weeks of training and the opportunity to earn PCED certification. CDI Louisiana is the only fast-track site in the network, offering all three weeks of instruction within a single calendar year. The program enrolls up to 25 participants per cohort and combines lectures with simulations, group activities, field experiences and hands-on training designed to prepare leaders to apply community and economic development principles in their home regions.