Join Us
Events & Webinars
2025 Tax Pro Assistance Program Orientation
Are you ready to take control of your business finances? Join us on January 8th at 11:00 AM for the 2025 Tax Pro Assistance Program Orientation!
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.
What is Worker Ownership as a Succession Planning Tool?
A Southland Development Authority webinar on using worker ownership for succession planning, covering its benefits for business legacy, employee empowerment, and sustainability.
ServSafe Managers Certification Training
A Southland Development Authority in-person session covering instruction and the exam for ServSafe Managers Certification.
October Edition: Coffee Connections
A Southland Development Authority networking opportunity for business owners to connect while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Hire Southland - October
SDA is excited to invite you to HIRE SOUTHLAND: Career Discovery and Workforce Development Day, a dynamic event designed to support job seekers and workforce development.
The Inaugural SDA Thought Leadership Experience With Networking and Community Happy Hour
Join SDA for networking happy hour
Doing Business With The Government Webinar
The Southland Development Authority, in partnership with the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), invites you to our webinar "Doing Business with the Government." During this session, you will learn the first steps to becoming a qualified government contractor.
Register here -> https://lnkd.in/gPkNg3Xa
10K Small Business Program
SDA would love to see you to tell you all about the @Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort.
10K Small Business Program
SDA would love to see you virtually to tell you all about the @Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort. Click here to sign up! https://bit.ly/GS10KBS_Informational
How to Start Your Business and Pre Qualify For State Grants Webinar
Join SDA and learn key strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing businesses.
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.
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.
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!
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
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."
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.
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
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
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.
How to Start Your Business in Illinois Webinar
Join Vicki Brown, 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.
Successfully Executing Mergers and Acquisitions Webinar
Successfully Executing Mergers and Acquisitions
Build or Rebuild Your Credit to Boost Your Business (Online Workshop)
Build or Rebuild Your Credit to Boost Your Business! We, along with our trusted partners
Working Credit NFP are hosting an interactive online workshop.
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.
It's Your Turn – Time to Survive and Thrive – PPP and More Event
It's Your Turn – Time to Survive and Thrive – PPP and More
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.
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
Pivoting for Success in 2021 and Beyond Webinar
Join us for a discussion on COVID-19's impact on the #food industry. How have things
changed, and how does the industry move forward? Learn what it will take to position
your business for economic success in 2021.