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Events & Webinars


The Missing Middle Riddle: How to Build Housing for the Middle Class in Today’s Economy
Dec
3

The Missing Middle Riddle: How to Build Housing for the Middle Class in Today’s Economy

Join us for an engaging seminar that addresses one of the most pressing challenges in today’s housing market: building affordable, high-quality housing for middle-income families. The housing market in Chicagoland is deeply polarized, with affordable housing on one end and luxury housing on the other, leaving a critical gap known as the “missing middle.”

This event will explore innovative approaches to zoning, building, and financing housing solutions that fill this gap—such as townhomes, duplexes, and small multi-family units. Attendees will gain insights into how these housing models can meet the needs of young families and middle-income workers, offering practical solutions for creating sensibly priced homes in the region.

Speakers:

  • Eleanor Gorski, CEO & President, Chicago Architecture Center

  • Katherine Darnstadt, Founding Principal, Latent

  • Jay Readey, Southland Development Authority & Metro Alliance

  • Wyllys Mann, Pivotal

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with housing and economic development experts and contribute to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable housing market in Chicagoland.

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Find Out How Your Restaurant or Bar Can Tap Into $25M In Funding Webinar
Sep
23

Find Out How Your Restaurant or Bar Can Tap Into $25M In Funding Webinar

Help is still available for Southland bar or restaurant owners affected by COVID-19. $25M

was set aside through the #Back2business grant, and we can help make sure you have

everything you need to apply before the funding is all gone.

Join our webinar the Thursday and get the information you need to apply for this grant

without delay. Visit bit.ly/B2BforRestaurantsandBars to register.

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Back to Business Grant to Help Arts, Entertainment and Tourism IndustriesWith $30M In grants Webinar
Sep
16

Back to Business Grant to Help Arts, Entertainment and Tourism IndustriesWith $30M In grants Webinar

Did your business suffer a loss due to the impact of COVID-19? if so, the #Back2Business

Grant could help you access funds to support your business recovery.

Are you a Southland business owner in the arts, entertainment, or tourism industry?

$30M was set aside through this grant for those hard-hit industries. Join our webinar

Thursday and get the information you need to apply for this grant without delay.

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B2B Real-Time Application Demo Webinar
Aug
27

B2B Real-Time Application Demo Webinar

Did you miss our last webinar and need help filling out your #Back2Business grant

application? You're in luck, this Friday at 10 a.m., we have a real-time application demo

that will take you through all of the necessary steps to get your #Back2Business grant!

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How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar
Aug
19

How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar

Join Vicki Brown for a fourth webinar this year, Director of the Illinois SBDC at Southland

Development Authority as she shares the nuts and bolts of getting started—from

business planning and business structures, licenses and permits, financing, building a

customer base and more

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Tune In So You Are Not Left Behind When New Grant Dollars Are Made Available Webinar
Aug
12

Tune In So You Are Not Left Behind When New Grant Dollars Are Made Available Webinar

The application portal for the Back 2 Business grant opens Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

When it comes to grants, application windows are tight. That's why we want you to know

the required documents necessary to apply.

All Southland business owners are encouraged to register and tune in this Thursday,

August 12, from 11 a.m. to Noon. Vicki Brown, Director, Illinois SBDC at SSEGI, will take us

through "How to prepare for the Back 2 Business Grant."

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How to Tap New Funding For Your Business and Keep Your Compliance in Check Webinar
Jul
29

How to Tap New Funding For Your Business and Keep Your Compliance in Check Webinar

Have you gotten PPP or other funding, and want to stay on the funder's good side? Are

you always on the lookout for new funding opportunities? Join Vicki Brown, Director of

the Illinois SBDC at South Suburban Economic Growth Initiative (SSEGI) as she outlines all

of the t's to cross and i's to dot to make sure you stay in compliance with your funding's

original requirements and also gets you set on the path of new funding by getting

pre-qualified on the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal, a

prerequisite for all State of Illinois grant programs.

This session will provide detailed information on all of the steps required and you’ll have

the opportunity to ask questions.

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How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar
Jul
22

How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar

Join Vicki Brown for a third webinar this year, Director of the Illinois SBDC at Southland

Development Authority as she shares the nuts and bolts of getting started—from

business planning and business structures, licenses and permits, financing, building a

customer base and more

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How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar
Jun
18

How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar

Join Vicki Brown for a second webinar this year, Director of the Illinois SBDC at Southland

Development Authority as she shares the nuts and bolts of getting started—from

business planning and business structures, licenses and permits, financing, building a

customer base and more

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Save Money on Your Operating Costs Webinar
May
19

Save Money on Your Operating Costs Webinar

"Take Charge of Your Operating Costs" webinar, held on May 19, 2021, provided valuable insights for businesses seeking to manage utility expenses effectively. Industry experts from ComEd, Nicor Gas, and Old Plank Trail Community Bank shared practical tools and strategies for reducing costs and improving cash flow. Attendees learned about available payment plans and financial resources designed to ease operational burdens. Hosted by the Southland Development Authority in collaboration with America's SBDC Illinois, the event empowered participants to take control of their operating expenses.

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Paycheck Protection Program Loan
Feb
11

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

SDA brings together PPP Lenders for a roundtable discussion about getting access to

capital for Southland businesses through the second round of the Payroll Protection

Program. We will have speakers from

U.S. Small Business Administration,

BankFinancial,

BMO Harris Bank,

Providence Bank & Trust,

(Wintrust) Old Plank Trail Community Bank,

and Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC.

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Let’s Tackle PPP Together Webinar
Jan
26

Let’s Tackle PPP Together Webinar

PPP is back, and our experts know all the ins and outs of what's new this round, who's

eligible, and more. Join us for a Zoom webinar on #PPP Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 am.

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

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Recover, Retool, Renew Webinar
Nov
4

Recover, Retool, Renew Webinar

small business owner resourcedesigned to connect business owners with the resources you need to recover, retool and

renew during these times. This series is presented in partnership with the SSSBA - South Suburban Small Business Association, SCORE Mentors (Chicago), and South Suburban College.

Speaker: Vicki Brown, Center Director of the Illinois SBDC at the Southland Development Authority

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