Press release submitted by Western Illinois University.

MOLINE -- Through the Midwest Community Development Institute (CDI), community leaders have an opportunity to learn about new approaches to making their communities better places to work and live. The Midwest CDI is hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University and is being offered Monday-Thursday, Aug. 6-9, at the Stoney Creek Inn, Moline.

According to Midwest Community Development Institute Director John Gruidl, CDI is a fun, intensive four-day training program in community and economic development designed for development professionals, community leaders and elected officials.

"Every year, I am impressed with the participants as much as the presenters," Gruidl said. "The participants are remarkably talented and diverse, including local economic developers; community developers; mayors; city council members; city and village administrators; staff from state, regional and federal agencies; and community volunteers. These folks are on the front lines leading change in their communities."

Gruidl noted that participants are trained in the "how to" of community and economic development and learn techniques to bring positive change to their communities. CDI can also lead to a nationally recognized certification as a professional community and economic developer, a valuable credential for development professionals, he added.

CDI also includes a reception at the new Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Riverfront Campus, a field trip to a successful development project in the Quad Cities and dinner at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport (IA).

For information, contact the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at (309) 298-2337 or via email at info@midwestcdi.org or visit www.midwestcdi.org.