Always advancing is our Texarkana Chamber of Commerce.
Here is a Press Release from the chamber:
Robbin Bass, director of business retention and expansion for the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce has recently completed the Year 1 Class of the 35th annual Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Central Arkansas on August 6, 2021.
CDI trains community leader and economic development professionals on ways to strengthen
their local economies and build communities. This is achieved by developing the ability of
participants to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration, and partnerships
with 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 intensive 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.
CDI started in 1987 at the University of Central Arkansas in partnership with Entergy,
Southwestern Bell and ARKLA. Since that time, Community Development Institutes have been
established in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, and Illinois, and a national governing and certification
body, the Community Development Council, has been created.
Robbin was awarded a scholarship through AEP SWEPCO who sponsored her attendance at CDI
Year 1. More information about CDI can be found online.
The Business Retention and Expansion program is part of the Economic Development Council of
the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the BR&E program is to understand and
analyze necessary steps to retain businesses and help them grow and expand. For more
information on the Chamber EDC and BR&E programs please contact Robbin Bass at
rbass@texarkana.org