Sustain Dane: Middleton Building Energy Efficiency Upgrade Funding Funding Now Open for Applications

PRESS RELEASE | March 3, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Valora Gutierrez | Navigator & Outreach Specialist
lorenza@sustaindane.org | (608) 285-2454

MIDDLETON BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADE FUNDING NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Sustain Dane is now accepting applications for the Efficiency Navigator program to help affordable rental housing in Middleton become more energy efficient and resilient, while reducing operating costs and utility bills for residents.

Dane County, WI – Working closely with the City of Middleton, the Efficiency Navigator program helps small apartment housing become more energy efficient, while reducing operating costs for owners and utility bills for residents.

Selected buildings are eligible to receive funding for energy efficiency upgrades such as improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, improved insulation, air sealing, water softener optimization, tune-ups or replacement, and recommendations to improve home health (e.g. asthma triggers).

“Reducing monthly expenses for utility costs can help keep rental units affordable and reduce the expense for residents” said Sustain Dane Executive Director Claire Oleksiak. “Plus, energy efficiency upgrades can lead to more comfortable and healthy homes to live in.”

Eligibility

• 2-8 units, renter-occupied
• Unsubsidized (buildings with Section 8 voucher holders are eligible for the program)
• Address in Middleton
• Tenants pay for gas and electric utilities
• Properties are current on property tax payments
• Property owner commits to maintaining affordable rent at HUD Fair Market Rent Value for at least 5 years post-implementation

We strongly encourage applications for buildings where utility bills are a challenge for residents, and for those that house children, seniors, or otherwise vulnerable populations.

Program Highlights

• Grant funding for recommended energy improvements
• Team member walks you through each step to completion
• Contractor selection and scheduling
• Sustain Dane pays contractors directly for eligible measures
• Reduce tenant turnover with lower energy bills and more comfortable units

A past participating owner attests “We are so appreciative and impressed with the quality and speed of the work. When we went into the units, we could tell how much warmer it was and how much tighter the airflow felt in there. It sounds like the tenants also had a great experience, so we are super grateful for that as well.”

Apply – Learn more, recommend your building as a resident, or apply as a property owner at www.SustainDane.org. Rolling application review starts March 1, 2023. Apply now.

About Sustain Dane Is a local non-profit with the vision for a thriving and inclusive community with a sustainable environment and economy we are proud to pass on to future generations. For over 20 years, Sustain Dane has worked to inspire, connect, and support people to accelerate equity and sustainable actions for community wellbeing.

Partners – This opportunity is made possible in partnership with the City of Middleton, Elevate, the Middleton Senior Center and the Middleton Outreach Ministry. Additional funding from our public health partners, Healthy Babies Bright Futures and the Mayor’s Innovation Project.

ABOUT SUSTAIN DANE:
Sustain Dane’s vision is a thriving and connected community with a sustainable environment and economy we are proud to pass on to future generations. Our mission is to inspire, connect, and support people to accelerate sustainable actions for community wellbeing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.sustaindane.org
hello@sustaindane.org
(608) 285 – 2454
P.O. Box 144, Madison, WI 53701

WRTP | BIG STEP, In Partnership With Operation Fresh Start Host Women in the Trades Career Fair

To celebrate Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day, WRTP | BIG STEP of South Central Wisconsin and in partnership with Operation Fresh Start will be hosting Women in the Trades Career Fair on Tuesday, March 07, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event will take place at Operation Fresh Start, 2670 Milwaukee St, Madison, WI 53704. Our goal for this event is to introduce women to the numerous career pathways within the construction and manufacturing industries. The event is sponsored by Alliant Energy and Vogel Bros. Building Co.

Read the full press release here

Dane Buy Local Celebrates Pi Day with Pie Presented by Murphy Desmond, S.C.

Available for interviews
Colin Murray, Executive Director of Dane Buy Local
2801 International Lane, Suite 110
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 712-3440
colin@danebuylocal.com
www.danebuylocal.com

Dane Buy Local Celebrates Pi Day with Pie Presented by Murphy Desmond, S.C.

Join Dane Buy Local in celebrating Pi Daywith tasty pie made by Beef Butter BBQ, DelicateEssence, FEED Bakery, Madame Chu, Sweeternative Baking, Green Owl Cafe, Madison Chocolate Company, Migrants, Short Stack Eatery, Second Breakfast Bakery, Cambridge Market Cafe, and Dolce Desserts By Dominique. Vegan and gluten-free options will be included.

Pie may be ordered March 2–9 at danebuylocal.com, then picked up on March 14 at Monona United Methodist Church, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, or select delivery when you place your order.

And not only can you enjoy some delicious pie yourself, you can share it with others by donating pie to The River Food Pantry when you place your order.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Pi with pie!

Dane Buy Local is affiliated with the Local Business Institute (LBI) and is part of a growing national movement of communities rallying to support their independent businesses and ensuring the opportunity to operate an independent business endures. Dane Buy Local creates a sustainable, vital local economy through collaboration, education, and promotion, as a non-profit member organization.

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Tracy Brooks Joins Capitol Bank as Director of Marketing

Madison, WI (February 2023): Justin Hart, President of Capitol Bank, is pleased to announce that
Tracy Brooks has joined Capitol Bank as the Director of Marketing.

Read the full press release here

New Board Chair elected for WPS Health Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

New Board Chair elected for WPS Health Solutions
Steve Skoronski to succeed Kristine Euclide

MADISON, Wis.—Feb. 28, 2023—At its February meeting, the WPS Board of Directors voted to approve Steve Skoronski as the new WPS Board Chair for a one-year term that will begin after the WPS Board meeting on April 27.

Skoronski is a retired entrepreneur and health care supply chain consultant in Madison, Wis. He was elected to the WPS Board of Directors in 2012. He was Chief Executive Officer of Associated Medical Products and Medical Systems Corporation, which distributed medical products and rented medical equipment. It also processed Medicare Part B and Medicaid claims for reimbursement.

“This will be a transformative year at WPS,” Skoronski said. “I’m proud to be elected as Board Chair as we work together to usher in a new CEO, refine our strategy, and move the entire leadership team and employees at WPS forward to a successful future.”

Current Board Chair Kristine Euclide has led the Board since 2019 and guided the organization through a historic pandemic, challenging financial times, as well as the selection process to find a new CEO to lead the company following Mike Hamerlik’s planned retirement. She was elected to the WPS Board of Directors in 2007 and became Board Chair in March 2019.

Euclide, a regulatory attorney and veteran business and community leader in Madison, said, “I am honored to have served WPS in the Board Chair role for the past four years. In particular, I enjoyed interacting with and getting to know many dedicated WPS employees more closely. My commitment to WPS will continue, as I plan to remain active on the WPS Board as well as several nonprofit boards in the Madison area.”

To learn more about the WPS Board of Directors, visit: https://www.wpshealthsolutions.com/about/board-of-directors.shtml

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,600 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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