Chris Hill, director of marketing and communications for the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, has completed Year 2 of the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas.
A professional development scholarship provided by Citizens Bank supported Hill’s participation in the program.
The 2026 Community Development Institute was held July 27 through July 31 on the UCA campus in Conway.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Community Development Institute, known as CDI, provides community leaders, economic development professionals and public officials with practical tools to strengthen local economies, develop partnerships and improve quality of life.
The complete CDI experience is a 3-year program consisting of 1 intensive week of training each year.
Participants must complete the program sequentially, attending Year 1 before Year 2 and completing both years before entering the third and final year.
Training focuses on areas including community leadership, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, business attraction, business retention, economic development finance, placemaking and collaboration.
The University of Central Arkansas says Year 2 of the program concentrates on building entrepreneurial communities, business attraction and site selection, business retention and expansion, community and economic development finance, and quality of place.
HILL SAYS PROGRAM BENEFITS BATESVILLE
Hill said CDI continues to provide valuable information and professional connections that can directly benefit Batesville and Independence County.
“One of the greatest strengths of CDI is learning alongside people from communities across Arkansas and beyond,” Hill said. “Every community faces unique challenges, but many of the best solutions come from sharing ideas and learning from one another.”
Hill said he looks forward to applying ideas from the program as Batesville and Independence County continue building on the momentum created through local development and community initiatives.
“I’m excited to bring those ideas back to Batesville and Independence County as we continue building on the momentum our community has created,” Hill said.
MARKETING, TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
As director of marketing and communications for the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Hill oversees communications, tourism marketing, economic development projects and community engagement initiatives.
His responsibilities include tourism promotion through Experience Independence, which highlights attractions, events, businesses and recreational opportunities across Independence County.
Hill has helped lead marketing and communications efforts for several major community projects and events, including:
The Christmas Capital of Arkansas
The Batesville Rodeo
The Riverside Park Renovation
Tourism development initiatives
Economic growth projects
Community engagement programs
Quality-of-life improvements
Hill also serves on the Batesville Parks and Recreation Committee.
CHAMBER PRESIDENT PRAISES HILL’S LEADERSHIP
Crystal Johnson, PCED, president and CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, praised Hill’s creativity, leadership and commitment to continued professional development.
“Chris approaches every project with creativity, curiosity, and a genuine desire to make our community even better,” Johnson said.
Johnson said CDI encourages participants to think strategically, develop partnerships and bring ideas back to their communities that can create long-term results.
“CDI challenges leaders to think strategically, collaborate with others, and bring home ideas that create lasting impact,” Johnson said. “I’m proud of his commitment to professional growth and excited to see him complete the program next year.”
CDI FOUNDED AT UCA IN 1987
The Community Development Institute was established at the University of Central Arkansas in 1987.
The program now serves professionals from Arkansas and several surrounding states as part of a national Community Development Institute network.
CDI provides hands-on experience in community leadership, economic development, collaboration, strategic planning and building partnerships.
Participants are taught by experienced professionals representing the business, government, academic and nonprofit sectors.
According to UCA, the program is designed to provide skills and strategies that participants can immediately apply in their communities.
HILL TO COMPLETE PROGRAM IN 2027
Hill plans to return to the University of Central Arkansas next summer to complete Year 3 and graduate from the program.
The final year focuses on community leadership development, marketing, measuring community progress, workforce planning and organizing community development efforts.
Following graduation, Hill will be eligible to apply for the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification examination.
The PCED examination is administered separately by the Community Development Council. CDI graduates must meet eligibility requirements and pass the certification examination to earn the professional designation. UCA Community Development Institute
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