Inside the SDA Event Rebuilding the Region’s Workforce
It almost sounds like another job fair. It’s not.
The Southland Development Authority (SDA) launched Hire Southland to rebuild an entire workforce. One that connects employers, job seekers, and educators in the same room. The 2nd annual event will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at South Suburban College in South Holland (15800 State Street).
“We started last year,” said Manny Davila, SDA’s Vice President of Programs and Client Services. “The goal was to create an experience where job seekers, employers, and workforce development practitioners could all benefit from being together… hearing expert panels, seeing what programs and services are out there, and making real connections.”
The first year was intentionally broad. It was open to anyone - and still is. But this year, the focus is sharpening around two industries that Davila says are already driving local opportunity between manufacturing and construction.
“These are strong job-creating sectors for the Southland,” he explained. “They’re also industries that young people are starting to gravitate toward because they offer a clear return on investment. You can earn while you learn, make a living wage, and build a real career without taking on huge student debt.”
That hands-on practicality defines Hire Southland. It’s equal parts networking event and economic strategy. “People always talk about high property taxes or population loss,” Davila said. “But the truth is, a big part of solving that starts with good jobs. When people can work where they live, they stay here. They buy homes. They contribute to the tax base. That’s how you stabilize a community.”
The SDA’s approach is to think system-wide. For job seekers, Hire Southland is a gateway to training programs, certifications, and employers who are actually hiring. For small businesses, it’s a low-barrier way to find talent without the cost of traditional recruiting. “We don’t charge exhibitors,” Davila noted. “So smaller employers that might not have the time or resources to scout for talent can show up, set up a table, and connect with candidates directly.”
Hire Southland also opens doors for people who’ve been out of the workforce. Whether that is due to family changes, incarceration, or other setbacks.
This year’s event will feature local employers from across industries, along with community colleges, trade organizations, and training centers offering pathways into construction and manufacturing.
The event is presented in partnership with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, M3 Chicago, Make It In Illinois, OAI, Inc., Toro Construction, and the SDA’s Metals Hub.
About the Southland Development Authority
The Southland Development Authority, a not-for-profit economic development organization, is committed to driving equitable and sustainable economic growth in the south suburbs of Chicago. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful direct investments, the SDA is building a vibrant, inclusive economy that drives wealth growth for individuals, businesses and municipalities. Combined with the benefits of the South Suburban Land Bank and the Monarch Fund, the SDA serves as a model for regional development.
