Stanford Social Innovation Review Spotlights SDA’s Model for Southland Revitalization

The Southland Development Authority's approach to economic development is the focus of a new in-depth feature from Stanford Social Innovation Review examining the future of Chicago's South Suburbs.

"A Model for Restoring the Rust Belt," written by Kyle Coward, explores the Southland's economic history, the effects of deindustrialization and the work underway to create new opportunities for businesses and residents across the region.

The feature examines SDA's strategy across business growth, advanced manufacturing, real estate development and municipal revitalization. It also highlights Southland businesses working with SDA, including Poppin Plates Culinary Incubator, Lab Girls and Ability Engineering Technology.

At the center of the story is a larger question.

Can the Southland's approach become a model for other American communities confronting industrial decline and decades of underinvestment?

"We're trying to make sure that every time we touch a physical building and a neighborhood, we're also making the investment in climate energy capacity," SDA CEO Bo Kemp tells the publication.

The article also examines SDA's efforts to build a more self-sustaining economic development model, including a goal of generating two-thirds of its own revenue by the end of 2027.

Read the full Stanford Social Innovation Review feature, "A Model for Restoring the Rust Belt."