The Wells Fargo Historic Springfield Community Learning Center (the Center) is located at
1601 N. Main Street in Jacksonville’s historic Springfield community.

Since May 2012, the Center has been operating independently under the management and supervision of the Jacksonville Urban League at a location adjoining a Wells Fargo retail banking branch, provided free of charge as a public service by Wells Fargo. The unique Center serves as the hub for a diverse array of organizations including employers, schools, and nonprofits that use the facility to promote small business development, financial health, home ownership, and job skills training in the community. Wells Fargo is proud to support this initiative as a public service but does not control or endorse any specific organizations utilizing the Center.

Small Business Development
The Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida has a satellite office at the Center where small businesses may access information on creating a business plan, effective marketing, and how to access capital.

Home Ownership
To support home ownership, the Center hosts home buyer education classes focused on budgeting tips, savings planning for potential homeowners, and preserving home ownership for existing homeowners.

Financial Health
A One-Stop Financial Service Center, led by the United Way’s Real$ense Prosperity Campaign is located at the Center. It provides year-round financial education, including Wells Fargo’s Hands on Banking®, free tax preparation, and other services.

Job Skills Training
Since its opening, the Center hosts weekly job skills training classes helping residents develop resumes, complete job applications, and prepare for interviews.

Nonprofit Sector Support
The Center provides space for local nonprofit organizations to conduct board meetings, retreats, training sessions, and other collaborative meetings at no charge. This fills a critical need and in turn, boosts the services available to Springfield and other communities in the area.

Why Springfield?
After careful consideration with input from both external stakeholders and internal team members, including some who grew up in the neighborhood, Springfield was selected as the location for the PBI. Springfield is one of only two Jacksonville neighborhoods with local historic designation and protection. In 2012, over 50% of the residents had an income of less than $27,000. The community’s needs then, coupled with the history of overall philanthropic investment in the neighborhood, were considered in the selection process.

The Project
Wells Fargo invested $1.3 million in the Springfield PBI project, beginning with sweeping physical improvements throughout the banking store on the first floor as well as the surrounding property, including new signage, parking lot reconfiguration, landscaping, new carpeting and furniture, and a wall mural that captures significant moments in Springfield’s rich history, which quickly inspired pride among residents. Wells Fargo then transformed the second floor of the building into a 17,000 square foot community center that includes conference rooms, classrooms, large multipurpose meeting rooms, private offices, and a café with a full kitchen. This facility, named the Historic Springfield Community Center (the Center), opened in May of 2012 and is expressly for use by local nonprofits and community groups. The Jacksonville Urban League is the anchor tenant and managing partner for the Center.