Daily Southtown Spotlights ACHIEVE Summit’s Role in Driving Southland Growth

The Daily Southtown was at ACHIEVE 2026. And now, the event is making headlines.

At the Southland Development Authority’s (SDA) second annual ACHIEVE Summit, held June 4-6 at Wind Creek Chicago Southland, the Daily Southtown made significant note of the event’s growing impact. Especially focusing on entrepreneurship, business ownership, real estate investment, and economic development across the Southland.

The article features SDA President and CEO Bo Kemp’s vision for building a stronger regional economy through connection and collaboration. With the event having brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, lenders, and community leaders from throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. It also highlights resources available to small businesses through partners such as SomerCor, including down payment assistance programs designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses in Cook County.

In addition to showcasing the opportunities created through ACHIEVE, the article celebrates local business success stories, including ACHIEVE Award recipient Laura Miranda, founder of Queens of Clean, whose journey from personal hardship to business ownership reflects the resilience and determination found throughout the Southland’s entrepreneurial community.

As ACHIEVE continues to grow, the summit remains a cornerstone of the SDA’s mission to attract investment, support business creation, strengthen local enterprises, and showcase the Southland as a destination for opportunity and growth.

Read the full Daily Southtown article here to learn more about the conversations, connections, and success stories that defined this year’s ACHIEVE Summit.