Groundwork Jacksonville is fortunate to have the support of VyStar Credit Union (VyStar) as one of our major donors to the Emerald Trail and McCoys Creek projects.
Originally founded in 1952 as Jax Navy Federal Credit Union to serve civil service, military employees and their families at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the credit union was renamed VyStar Credit Union in 2002 on its 50th Anniversary. Today, VyStar serves more than 500,000 members nationwide.
VyStar has a history of supporting its members and the community, but in recent years under the leadership of CEO Brian Wolfburg, VyStar’s commitment has become increasingly felt, not just by members, but by all the citizens in Jacksonville.
In 2019, VyStar acquired naming rights for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The multi-million dollar deal not only provides the City with needed funds to support the facilityā€™s maintenance, but a portion of the money also goes to support veterans programs. Additionally, VyStar bought and is renovating the 23-story tower at 76 S. Laura St. and the former Life of the South Building at 100 W. Bay St., and intends to move more than 1,000 employees downtown.
This year VyStar committed $2.5 million to fund a new Cultural Ecosystem exhibit celebrating Jacksonvilleā€™s diversity as part of MOSHā€™s $80 million expansion. And most recently, VyStar collaborated with the City of Jacksonville on a loan program to assist local small businesses affected by the pandemic-induced economic downturn.
GWJax is grateful not only for VyStar’s generous contributions, but also to have Brian Wolfburg’s boundless energy and enthusiasm for the future of downtown in his role as our Emerald Trail co-champion.
