The Bossier Chamber of Commerce hosted the third session of Community Development Institute, a national program aimed at training community leaders and economic development professionals, from Sept. 27-Oct. 1. In partnership with Louisiana Tech University College of Business, the Bossier Chamber offers the only CDI site in the state of Louisiana.
The 2026 class is the third cohort of CDI Louisiana and recently completed its third session in October. CDI trains leaders to strengthen their local economies and build communities. The curriculum is delivered through various formats, including a combination of lectures, small-group discussions, simulations and individual projects. The focus is on active, rather than passive, learning.
Armed with the knowledge gained during the first and second sessions, known as Year I and Year II, participants further explored the big picture during Year III. Participants focused on implementing the knowledge gained in previous years while acquiring skills in leadership, marketing and organizing community development efforts.
During Year III, participants focused on four core curriculum areas: Community Leadership Development, Marketing Your Community, Measuring Community Progress, and Workforce Planning and Development. During the weeklong session, community professionals from northwest Louisiana served as key facilitators for each curriculum area.
Participants also had to fully immerse themselves in simulations and field trips across Bossier Parish, visiting Bossier Parish School for Technology & Innovative Learning (BPSTIL) and Lovewell At Cumberland.
“We are excited that we have now completed our full year of fast-track learning for Community Development Institute Louisiana,” said Bossier Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lisa Johnson. “Our fellows are ready to go out into their communities and begin community development. It was a very engaging week, very interactive and everyone walked away ready to go and take care of their communities.”
CDI participant Latetao Hutchinson said, “Year III was very inspiring. The speakers did a great job of pouring into us as leaders that are going back into our communities to make a difference.”
The complete CDI experience is a three-session program, with one week of training per session. Unlike other CDI sites, the Bossier City site will have participants complete all three sessions within one year whereas other sites host participants for one week each 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.
For more information about CDI, visit https://www.bossierchamber.