Interior of a children's educational facility designed as a miniature city, with visitors exploring sponsor-branded storefronts including City Hall, First Horizon Bank, and Alabama Community College System — Visitors explore the new JA McWane Economic Education Center in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Students from across central Alabama now have a new place to learn about money, careers and the economy in an interactive, hands-on environment. On June 11, Junior Achievement of Alabama opened the brand-new JA McWane Economic Education Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to teach financial literacy and career skills to middle and high school students.

Junior Achievement of Alabama opens $18M McWane Economic Education Center in downtown Birmingham

Man in a navy suit and teal tie speaking at a podium in front of career pathway banners including Information Technology and Marketing, Sales & Service — Junior Achievement of Alabama President Chip Reed at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new JA McWane Economic Education Center. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Junior Achievement of Alabama’s President Chip Reed’s voice cracked as he stated how honored he was to be at the ribbon cutting for the new JA McWane Economic Education Center in downtown Birmingham on Thursday, June 11.

“18 months ago, we stood in this parking lot and I said, ‘Can you imagine 20,000 pairs of eyes and ears seeing and hearing a new way to look at life? Can you imagine 20,000 pairs of feet walking into a brighter future?’ Can you see it now? I know I can.”
Chip Reed, President, Junior Achievement of Alabama

Located at 2201 6th Ave N in what was previously a surface parking lot, the JA McWane Economic Education Center is a hands-on facility where students can run businesses, manage budgets, pay bills and explore interesting career paths in an immersive environment designed to simulate a real city. Just ask Morgan Brooks, a local high schooler who shared how Junior Achievement’s programs have changed her perspective on money.

“At JA’s Finance Park [course], I learned how to create a realistic budget and manage my finances as a child. It was hard, but now I feel way more confident.”
Morgan Brooks

A young woman in a floral dress speaks into a microphone at a podium in front of career pathway banners including Information Technology and Marketing — Local high schooler Morgan Brooks spoke about her experiences in Junior Achievement’s programs. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The 30,000-square-foot facility was made possible through a public-private partnership with support from the State of Alabama, the City of Birmingham, the McWane Family, Regions Bank and scores of corporate and community partners.

“[The McWane family has] been fortunate over the years to have participated in a lot of great healthcare projects, a lot of education projects and supported basic needs around the city. But every once in a while, a ‘no-brainer’ project comes along—and this was one of them.”
Will McWane, President, McWane Industries, Inc.

What’s inside the JA McWane Economic Education Center?

Visitors explore sponsor exhibit booths for American Cast Iron Pipe Company and Regions Bank at a busy indoor event venue — Visitors explore storefronts sponsored by local companies inside the JA McWane Economic Education Center. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Inside the facility, Junior Achievement of Alabama has teamed up with dozens of Alabama businesses to create realistic, branded business spaces that mirror real-world employers and organizations.

“Each of our partner organizations designed and installed their own storefronts using their own creative teams. They’ve done an amazing job making these storefronts look realistic and truly reflective of the real world.”
Chip Reed, President, Junior Achievement of Alabama

Expected to serve more than 20,000 students each year from more than 10 school systems across the region, the JA McWane Economic Education Center is home to two signature Junior Achievement experiences: JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. Both programs combine classroom learning with immersive simulations that allow students to experience real-world financial and career decisions firsthand.

“Organizations like Junior Achievement exist to make sure our children in all of our households—regardless of their ZIP code or neighborhood—can not only learn financial literacy but truly understand it. Junior Achievement provides the full spectrum of what financial literacy really means for our children, who will one day become adults. Our hope is that they will be positive contributors to our society and have the ability to take care of their families.”
Mayor Randall Woodfin

A man in a blue suit speaks into a microphone in front of a banner showing career sectors including Information Technology, Healthcare, Construction, and Manufacturing — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke at the ribbon cutting of the new JA McWane Economic Education Center. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

According to Junior Achievement’s website, the JA BizTown and JA Finance Park are designed to:

Teach students to develop and follow a monthly budget
Help students to research and understand the actual “costs of living” for the basic necessities of life
Encourage students to develop and demonstrate personal responsibility for learning and self-management
Communicate and work with schools to promote the highest level of student achievement
Challenge students to think critically, creatively, analyze tasks and solve problems

United Way Central Alabama interactive visitor center with branded orange and blue walls, touch-screen kiosks, and a seating area — Visitors inside the Finance Park wing of the JA McWane Economic Education Center. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Two people viewing a medical simulation room featuring a CT scanner mockup, conference table, and hospital equipment wall murals — Visitors inside the Finance Park wing of the JA McWane Economic Education Center. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Visit the new JA McWane Economic Education Center’s website to learn more.

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