Junior Achievement of Alabama breaks ground on McWane Economic Education Center in Birmingham

Imagine standing on a construction site, closing your eyes and picturing the sounds of 200+ students engaged in experiential learning in a soon-to-be-built education facility. That is what Chip Reed, president of Junior Achievement of Alabama, had guests do at the Junior Achievement McWane Economic Education Center’s groundbreaking ceremony.

This $17.3 million facility will offer thousands of students in the Greater Birmingham area opportunities for hands-on learning in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship starting in the spring of 2026.

JA will offer two hubs in its education center covering 30,400 square feet – JA BizTown presented by EBSCO and JA Finance Park presented by Regions. These programs integrate classroom lessons with immersive site visits, where students and teachers participate in a full-day simulation at the education center. When combined, the classroom instruction and practical experiences provide students with insights into potential career pathways at key stages of their education.

JA BizTown is a simulated city with an integrated economy. By working in one of eighteen JA BizTown shops, students learn what it takes to run a successful business, manage a debit card and checking account, and work as a team. JA Finance Park introduces students to career exploration and personal finance knowledge, preparing them for financial and career decisions in their adult life. JA BizTown is built to serve sixth graders while JA Finance Park will welcome eighth graders.

“Junior Achievement of Alabama is thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking initiative to enhance economic education in our community,” Chip Reed, president of JA Alabama, said. “The McWane Economic Education Center will be a game-changer for students across Central Alabama, offering immersive learning opportunities that inspire future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.”

The facility aims to engage over 20,000 students annually, focusing on school districts within a one-hour radius of Birmingham. Its strategic location is designed to increase visibility within the city while also providing thousands of students with the opportunity to experience the downtown environment.

The education center is being created as a realistic model of an American city, offering companies the chance to be showcased in the simulation storefronts and various areas within the building through their contributions to JA’s capital campaign. Partners that have already signed on to support this endeavor through their generous contributions include the McWane Family, Regions Financial Corporation, EBSCO and the Beeson Community Fund, with more to come in the near future. Additionally, the JA of Alabama headquarters will be housed within the facility,

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is designing the project, with Lemoine as the program manager and Pylon Building Group as the general contractor. Other project partners include Jackson Renfro & Associates, MW/Davis Dumas & Associates and Tucker-Jones Engineers.