BOSSIER CITY, LA — Paige Gisclair, Program Director of the Coastal Technical Assistance Center was among six individuals from the inaugural Community Development Institute (CDI) Louisiana class who graduated on Oct. 4 and also obtained their Professional Community and Economic Developer certification.
With the completion of this program, Paige Gisclair has completed all three sessions of the institute’s program of study and learned an extensive amount about building community. Now, as she has also passed the exam, they are recognized nationally for their accomplishments. Paige Gisclair joins just 11 other PCED holders in the state.
“It is our greatest pleasure to welcome Paige Gisclair as a PCED in the state of Louisiana,” said Jessica Hemingway, PCED, and co-director of the CDI Central in Louisiana site. “After three sessions of trainings, Paige has shown that they have the knowledge – along with the heart – to help our communities and our state move forward through the meaningful and comprehensive work of Community Development.”
The Community Development Institute Central (CDI) was established in 1987 to train community and economic development professionals in Arkansas and surrounding states. Participants move through the program curriculum in cohorts, and are exposed to a comprehensive, applied approach to the field of community and economic development. The Louisiana program is hosted by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and NEW in 2024 and an official satellite site of the original site, CDI Central in Conway, Ark.
The institute builds the capacity of individuals and communities to positively impact economic and social development. This is achieved by expanding individual’s ability to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, and bringing together groups of people to respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues. The Louisiana CDI experience is different than other sites as we will train for three weeks within
one year.
More information about CDI Louisiana can be found at bossierchamber.com/cdilouisiana.
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About Louisiana’s Coastal Technical Assistance Center
The Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) serves Louisiana businesses seeking opportunities in the Coastal Restoration and Recovery efforts of Louisiana through a partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, and the South Louisiana Economic Council. The CTAC team works to assist businesses in obtaining contracts with prime contractors allowing coastal dollars to remain in-state.