Junior Achievement opened the doors to its $18 million McWane Economic Education Center in Birmingham on Thursday. The $18 million center comprises 30,000 square feet and will provide hands-on learning experiences for approximately 20,000 students annually.
Will and Kaitlin McWane and the McWane family fueled the construction of the project with a $4 million investment.
“The JA mission has always been about equipping young people for life. Financial literacy and economic knowledge are so important to our students’ future,” said Will McWane. “What makes this center extraordinary is the immersion. It puts students in the driver’s seat. These are lessons they will carry with them forever.”
The center includes two programs: the JA BizTown presented by EBSCO, which is an interactive mini-city where students step into the roles of CEOs, employees and consumers; and the JA Finance Park presented by Regions, which is a simulation that teaches students to navigate real-life financial decisions.
“This is not just a ribbon-cutting — it’s the opening of opportunity,” said Chip Reed, president of Junior Achievement of Alabama. “The Junior Achievement McWane Economic Education Center is going to change the trajectory of tens of thousands of young people by giving them the confidence, knowledge and skills to thrive.”
The public-private project was supported by several institutions across the state, including Regions, EBSCO, the state of Alabama, Altec, Brasfield & Gorrie and the Alabama Community College System, along with other corporate and philanthropic leaders.
“This facility has the potential to impact students lives in a way that few educational initiatives ever have,” said David Walker, JA board chair and former CEO of EBSCO Industries.
The center also will serve as Junior Achievement of Alabama’s headquarters. JA of Alabama reached 25,000 students across 110 schools and 1,100 classrooms statewide last year.
