Western Rural Development Center Launches CDI West

Erik Kingston, PCED, Housing and Community Access Specialist, WRDC

Since relocating to the University of Idaho Water Center, the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) has expanded its work across the region through research, education, partnerships, and community-based initiatives. In March, WRDC and partners presented at the 2026 RMLUI Western Places | Western Spaces Conference in Denver. WRDC’s Erik Kingston caught up with WP’s Executive Director Donna Bye and Board Member Katie Guthrie at the event to discuss shared goals and interests.

During the conference, University of Idaho Professor Lorie Higgins joined Kingston and Dr. Flo Raitano of the Denver Council of Governments to present Reclaiming Local Readiness and Independence in the Face of Change. The session focused on two long-standing programs strengthening local leadership and capacity:

CDI West (formerly NW CDI), offers Community Development Institute training in the essentials of healthy communities and economies and professional certification in community and economic development (known as PCED). WeCAN (Western Community Assessment Network) partners have developed locally informed community assessment and peer learning models that build leadership capacity, strengthen civic institutions, and encourage shared responsibility and local ownership.

Together, these programs have provided leadership development and community planning tools to thousands of participants in  200 rural communities over 30 years. With strong representation across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Oregon, WRDC is expanding both programs across the region shared with Western Planner, aiming to engage and connect communities through Extension networks in the western U.S. and Pacific Basin territories.

Why this training matters now more than ever

“Communities are adapting to changing federal priorities, funding, and relationships,” says Kingston. “With CDI West and WeCAN, we’re offering proven strategies to build a robust ‘Civic Engagement Corps’ that can help western community champions and planners to strengthen local capacity and increase independence and prosperity. We invite anyone interested in extending their practical knowledge, contributions and networks to attend. And we need partners to support this work through sponsor and partner relationships.”

Save The Date! 

CDI West July 20-24, 2026 | The Riverside Hotel | Boise, ID

For registration information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Amber at wrdc@uidaho.edu

About the Author

Erik Kingston, PCED is the Housing and Community Access Specialist for the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC). From 1995 to 2025 he managed the Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Housing Information and Referral Center and coordinated multiple statewide strategic planning and outreach initiatives. He represented IHFA on the Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP) board, Community Review Team, Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN), and Idaho Fair Housing Forum. Erik teaches Housing as a Second Language and Access Means Community through the Western Community Development Institute (CDI West) and recently co-authored a housing chapter for an upcoming book exploring rural livability. He is a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) and serves on the Idaho Access Project board, Boise’s Cross-Disability Task Force, and the Community Development Council.