The Tom Fox Family JA BizTown®

In this fully interactive town that simulates the day-to-day functions of a thriving community, 5^th and 6^th grade students become both producers and consumers, responsible for running businesses, managing money, fundraising, advertising, voting, and more! Students apply for jobs in the town and then experience careers like electricians, store managers, bankers, retailers, civic leaders, just to name a few.

Our community sponsors have designed their storefronts to give the town a realistic and immersive feel. We are proud to welcome BISSELL, Independent Bank, Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Gordon Food Service, GRCC, LMCU, Meijer, Parkway Electric, Chick-fil-A, Perrigo, Eileen DeVries Family Foundation, WCSG, and Wesco to the JA BizTown® neighborhood.  

Storefront sponsorships are still available.

If you are a business interested in being a part of this innovative, one-of-a kind facility, please reach out for more information by emailing Jay Ediger, SVP of Development, at jay.ediger@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2227.

Schools are signing up their students for JA BizTown®!

If you are affiliated with a school and want your 5th or 6th grade students to take part in the JA BizTown program, please contact Capstone Director, Clare Shubert at clare.shubert@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2239.

Interested in being a volunteer in JA BizTown?

Please contact Capstone Director, Clare Shubert at clare.shubert@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2239.

Register your school

JA BizTown and JA Finance Park - Junior Achievement Capstone Programs

The Huizenga Family JA Free Enterprise Center in Grand Rapids, MI is an experiential learning facility for students to come and discover what's possible for their lives. The Tom Fox Family JA BizTown is a fully interactive town that simulates the day-to-day functions of a thriving community, 5th and 6th grade students become both producers and consumers, responsible for running businesses, managing money, fundraising, advertising, voting, and more! Students apply for jobs in the town and then experience careers like electricians, store managers, bankers, retailers, civic leaders, just to name a few. The Karl & Susan Hascall JA Finance Park is Junior Achievement’s capstone program for personal financial planning and career exploration. This program helps 8th – 12th grade students build a financial literacy foundation on which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit. Students participate in an immersive simulation that enables them to develop skills to successfully navigate today’s complex economic environment and discover how decisions today can impact tomorrow.

Select a button below to see how you or your organization can get involved with Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Inc..

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Any questions? Contact us!