Dupaco Credit Union expands access to affordable homeownership through partnership with FHLB Des Moines

MADISON, Wisc.—Dupaco Credit Union is partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) to offer Mortgage Rate Relief, a housing affordability initiative that supports income-qualified homebuyers by permanently reducing mortgage interest rates by up to 1.5% below the current market rate. The interest savings can be the difference in making the dream of homeownership a reality. 

Introduced in 2024, the Mortgage Rate Relief program continues to make a meaningful impact across the region. Since its launch, Dupaco has been selected to participate in this program and has already applied more than $9.3 million in grant funds to credit union members’ home loans. For 2026, Dupaco has been awarded $6 million in additional funding to help even more eligible members purchase homes. 

“Every day, we meet members who are working hard to build financial stability for themselves and their families,” said Brian Henneger, VP, Mortgage Lending at Dupaco’s Mineral Point Rd branch in Madison. “Programs like Mortgage Rate Relief open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Permanently lowering interest rates for eligible borrowers doesn’t just make homeownership more attainable—it creates long‑term savings that strengthen their financial lives well into the future.” 

The Mortgage Rate Relief program offers qualified homebuyers a special rate as low as 4.967% APR*. This is up to 1.5% below the current market rate. 

“Our goal is always to provide our members with innovative tools and resources that make a real difference,” said Dan Mahlum, mortgage programs director at FHLB Des Moines. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support our members as they work to address housing affordability challenges and meet the needs of their customers.” 

For more information, call 800-373-7600 ext. 204. 

*Additional eligibility guidelines apply. Rate effective as of 3/2/2026. All loans subject to approval. Rate, terms and conditions are subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 179,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.  Learn more at www.dupaco.com.  

ABOUT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement. FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com. 

Applications Now Being Accepted for MMSD’s Project SEARCH 2026–27 Internship Program

MADISON, Wis.—Applications are now open for the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) 2026–27 Project SEARCH high school transition-to-work internship program. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Project SEARCH is a one-year, immersive internship program for young adults ages 18–21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants gain hands-on work experience at a host business while receiving classroom instruction and on-site job coaching, with the goal of securing competitive, integrated employment.

“Project SEARCH is about preparing young adults for real jobs in real workplaces,” said Jason Penticoff, the program’s lead. “By the end of the year, interns leave with practical experience, stronger confidence, and a clearer sense of what they can contribute to the workforce.”

Interns rotate through multiple departments in a hospital setting, building job skills, communication abilities and workplace behaviors. Instruction focuses on employability skills such as teamwork, time management, problem-solving and independence. Support is provided by an MMSD teacher, job coaches and vocational rehabilitation services.

“Before Project SEARCH, I wasn’t sure what kind of job I wanted or what I was good at,” said Jayden F., East High School student and current Project SEARCH intern. “Now I feel more confident at work, I’ve learned how to talk with coworkers, and I can see myself having a real job after the program.”

Since launching in 2008, MMSD’s Project SEARCH has helped more than 100 interns secure competitive employment across Dane County. Statewide, the program has provided workforce training to more than 2,000 Wisconsin residents. Participants must be eligible for services with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Each year, the Madison program accepts 10–12 students who demonstrate success in a work environment and are able to participate in unpaid training in a hospital setting.

Project SEARCH Madison is a partnership between MMSD, MARC and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The program is hosted by UW Health and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.

Interested applicants and their families are encouraged to visit the MMSD website for more information, including a link to apply. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Wisconsin School of Business AI for Business Summit early bird pricing ends Feb. 27

On April 16-17, the AI Hub for Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host Ground Truth: AI for Business Summit 2026.

Why Attend Ground Truth

AI is moving faster than most organizations can keep up. Ground Truth is designed for leaders who want to move beyond experimentation and deploy AI for real business value.

Leave with one idea you can use on Monday

• Where AI drives real bottom-line impact
• Lessons from leaders deploying AI at scale
• AI strategies grounded in research, not hype
• A room full of leaders solving the same problems you are

Registration

Early Bird Registration: $495

• Ends Friday, February 27

Regular Registration: $900

• Ends Friday, April 2

Special rates available for UW affiliated and UWEBC members.

Registration includes:

• Access to all sessions
• Refreshment breaks and lunch
• Thursday evening attendee reception

Learn more and register here.

Wisconsin World Trade Day set for May 19

The Wisconsin trade community comes together for Wisconsin World Trade Day to celebrate the vital role global commerce plays in Wisconsin’s economy, and to equip new and currently exporting businesses with practical insights to grow exports.

The event features a keynote address from Jason Turner, Wintrust Financial Corporation’s Chief Investment Strategist for Great Lakes Advisors, offering a forward-looking perspective on global markets and highlighting emerging export opportunities for Wisconsin companies seeking to expand internationally. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where demand is growing, how global trends impact exports, and what this means for Wisconsin-made products and services.

The program showcases real-life experiences and lessons learned from successful Wisconsin exporters, providing candid insights into challenges, strategies, and best practices for entering and succeeding in international markets.

The day continues with interactive breakout sessions focused on the practical “how-to” of exporting, diving into actionable steps for growing exports. Sessions will introduce the tools, programs, and resources available to support companies at every stage of their export journey.

Whether you are new to exporting or looking to scale your global presence, Wisconsin World Trade Day offers valuable knowledge, connections, and guidance to help your business compete and succeed worldwide.

Event Date:

May 19, 2026

Event Time:

Program – 8:00am – 4:00pm

Closing Remarks/Networking – 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location:

Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) RTA Education Center 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Cost:

In-person only:

$125.00 Registration

$100.00 Early Bird by May 8, 2026

MMSD Begins Early Planning for 2026–27 Budget, Outlines Priorities and Fiscal Outlook

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has begun early planning for its 2026–27 preliminary budget, outlining key priorities focused on supporting students, aligning resources to district goals and maintaining long-term fiscal stability amid rising costs and ongoing state funding challenges.

District leaders emphasized that budget development begins months in advance to ensure thoughtful planning, transparency and alignment with MMSD’s Strategic Framework. The process centers on meeting student and staff needs while remaining fiscally responsible stewards of public resources.

“Our budget reflects what we value most as a school district,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “We are committed to uplifting the student experience, supporting our staff and making strategic investments that move our schools forward. At the same time, we must plan responsibly for financial realities that continue to challenge public education.”

Potential cost increases for the 2026–27 fiscal year are significant. Current estimates include:

• Compensation step increases: $4.7 million
• Inflationary compensation increases (2.63%): $9.5 million
• Health insurance increases: $14 million to $16 million
• Salary compensation study outcomes: $2 million to $8 million
• Parental leave benefit expansion: To be determined

In total, MMSD is projecting between $30.2 million and $38.2 million in potential new cost pressures.

“These increases reflect contractual obligations, market conditions and our responsibility to remain competitive as an employer,” said Bob Soldner, assistant superintendent of financial services. “We begin planning early so we can evaluate multiple scenarios, manage risk and minimize disruption to schools and classrooms.”

The district’s financial outlook is shaped not only by rising costs but also by declining state support. MMSD expects to receive approximately $7 million less in general state aid, continuing a trend that places greater reliance on local property taxes to fund operations.

Because Madison’s property values exceed the state average, MMSD receives about 10 percent of its funding from general state aid. By comparison, other large urban districts in Wisconsin receive between 62 percent and 68 percent.

In addition, MMSD continues to face a $62 million gap between special education costs and state reimbursement. The district must cover those expenses to ensure students receive legally required services.

Early learning also remains a priority investment. Although 4K students are funded at 60 percent of a full pupil count, districts must cover the full cost of providing programming.

“We know early learning sets the foundation for long-term academic success,” Gothard said. “Even when funding formulas fall short, we remain committed to ensuring our youngest learners have access to high-quality, full-day experiences.”

Recent voter-approved facilities and operations referenda have helped stabilize MMSD’s financial position and allowed the district to move forward with rebuilding or reconstructing 10 schools. District leaders expressed gratitude for that community support while noting it does not eliminate structural funding challenges.

As planning continues, MMSD will evaluate expenditures, staffing needs and program investments while advocating alongside other districts for sustainable state funding solutions, particularly around special education reimbursement.

The preliminary budget will be refined in the coming months, with additional updates and opportunities for public engagement provided throughout the process.

MMSD stakeholders and community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the budget through the district’s Let’s Talk platform.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.