Junior Achievement of Alabama (JA) has announced a major $20 million fundraising campaign to build the McWane Economic Education Center in downtown Birmingham. Thanks to a $4 million gift from Will and Caitlin McWane and the McWane family, this transformative project will feature two signature experiential learning facilities, JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, which aim to equip sixth and eighth graders with skills essential to financial success.

McWane Center for Economic Education: A hub for hands-on learning

Located at 6th Ave North and 22nd Street, the McWane Economic Education Center serves as a teaching-learning lab, providing immersive experiences to help young people adapt to the modern world, while JA BizTown and JA Finance Park bring real-world companies, jobs and scenarios into the classroom, providing students with practical knowledge to inspire and prepare them for life after school.

Financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness

David Walker, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement and CEO of EBSCO Industries, expressed his enthusiasm: “I don't know of any programs that have the potential to impact students' lives more than the educational programs Junior Achievement will offer through its soon-to-be-built JA BizTown and JA Finance Park facilities. Our financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs unlock the potential of tomorrow's leaders, and we are pleased to bring this opportunity to Birmingham and central Alabama.”

Empowering 20,000 students every year

This fundraising campaign represents a critical investment for Birmingham and underserved populations. With state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programs, JA aims to welcome 20,000 students each year to its new centre, enabling them to realise their full potential.

Will McWane's Vision

Will McWane emphasized the importance of Junior Achievement's mission: “Junior Achievement programs, with their focus on financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, are critical for young people. The immersive experiences the McWane Economic Education Center provides leave a lasting impression on students and provide them with the tools to maximize their own financial potential.”

JA BizTown and JA Finance Park: Real World Learning

JA BizTown simulates a mini city where students take on the roles of business owners, employees and consumers to gain first-hand experience running a business and managing finances, while JA Finance Park provides personalized budgeting challenges to help students make real-world financial decisions like buying a car, securing a home or managing investments.

JA Alabama Chairman Chip Reed expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking initiative: “The McWane Economic Education Center will be a game-changer for students in central Alabama, providing immersive learning opportunities that will inspire future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Campaign Co-Chair Jim Gorrie, who added, “Together, we can make a lasting impact on young people's lives and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson