Winners Awarded Memberships to Key City Creative Center

December 21, 2022

DUBUQUE, Iowa— Two individuals have been awarded memberships to the Key City Creative Center to develop their skills and training, thanks to a partnership between Dupaco Community Credit Union, the Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation and the Dubuque makerspace.

 

Kenneth Bichell and Gail Chavenelle, both of Dubuque, were selected among applicants to receive the non-renewable, annual memberships.

 

Key City Creative Center is a makerspace that provides its members with a low-cost and spacious environment to build and collaborate on projects and ideas. The center offers equipment and classes on woodworking, welding, metal working, 3-D printing, pottery and sewing. Membership, which provides 24/7 access and use of equipment at the center, allows individuals to develop skills that might not otherwise be available.

 

Dupaco partnered with Key City Creative Center to provide another opportunity for individual empowerment. The winners will have a space to create and develop products and establish partnerships with other local creators – which could lead to small business opportunities. Past award recipients did just that and used their membership to start and grow their businesses. 

 

As a credit union benefit, all Dupaco members receive a $10/month discount off monthly and annual Key City Creative Center membership costs.  Membership also provides access to the Dupaco sponsored BizHub located within Key City Creative Center.  The BizHub provides members with office and conference space to manage their business ventures.

 

“This partnership presents a great opportunity to provide invaluable resources to those who are thinking about starting a business or doing freelance work,” says Dupaco President and CEO Joe Hearn. “As a financial cooperative, Dupaco gives members the tools and resources to move them toward reaching their goals—no matter where life takes them.”

 

Applicants completed a questionnaire, which was available throughout November. Judging was based on the applicants’ need and desire to improve their skills and their goal and plan for skill sustainability.

 

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 153,000 with assets exceeding $2.9 billion. It has more than 650 employees and 22 branch office locations. Dupaco is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com.

 

ABOUT DUPACO R.W. HOEFER FOUNDATION:

The Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer.  The Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, reflects the spirit of Dupaco’s mission of improving peoples’ financial positions and enhancing the quality of life. The foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability through education. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.

 

 

Picture: Key City Creative Center board member Brian Graham gives Gail Chavenelle of Dubuque, Iowa, a tour of the Dubuque space.  Chavenelle was one of two recipients awarded a membership to the center to develop skills and trainings, thanks to a partnership between Dupaco and the makerspace. (Key City Creative Center photo)