Dane Buy Local announces Madison’s first Shop Local Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2023

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

Madison, WI – Dane Buy Local, a nonprofit organization promoting local business, announces Madison’s first Shop Local Tour. The 2023 Tour will visit ten different Madison community destinations, each occurring throughout the year.

The Tour promotes the positive impact of shopping locally and showcases a diverse range of local businesses. The Wednesday, March 22^nd Tour provides participants an opportunity to explore six wonderful food destinations: Bandit Tacos & Coffee, The Deliciouser, FEED Kitchen, Orange Tree Imports, Migrants, and Bandung.

The $49 ticket price includes transportation, samples at each location, a swag bag of goodies, and ends with drink and pizza at Delta Beer Lab. The 4:00‒8:00 p.m. Tour is expected to sell out, so sign up early with friends and family!

The Shop Local Tour is made possible through presenting sponsor Madison Top Company, plus the support of Kavanaugh Restaurant Supply and Bank of Sun Prairie.

For tickets and more information on this and other Tours, visit danebuylocal.com or call (608) 729-7346.

Dane Buy Local is affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) and is part of a 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 education, collaboration, and promotion, as a non-profit member organization.

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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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UW Health: Opportunity for Businesses to Show Appreciation for Nurses

UW Health partners with Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce to encourage discounts for all community RNs in May 2023

UW Health is proud to partner with the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce for the second year in a row to encourage member businesses to consider offering discounts to nurses in our community during National Nurses Week, May 6-12 or throughout the month of May.

Nurses Week poses a unique opportunity for local businesses to show their appreciation for all the highly valued nurses in our community who make a difference in the lives of patients, families and the community, every day. This opportunity would allow Chamber member businesses to thank all nurses during this special time.

“Local discounts have been provided in the past and our nurses love it—especially food options they can enjoy before, during or after a shift,” states Jen Hein-Aldrich, RN, Chair of the UW Health Nurse Recognition Council. “Our nurses see the importance of supporting local businesses and in turn, we feel appreciated and supported by the community with any discounts that are provided. It’s definitely a win-win.”

If your business is able to offer a discount to nurses from May 6-12 or throughout the month of May, please complete this simple interest form by Friday, April 28. UW Health and the Greater Madison Chamber will share the final list of participating businesses to make all community nurses aware of these local discounts.

Please direct any questions to: Hailey Hicks, BSN, RN, UW Health Nurses Week Committee, at hhicks@uwhealth.org.

We hope you consider this opportunity to show your business’s support of community nurses while enjoying some added exposure for your business among thousands of nurses.