GREA client Junior Achievement opens their new Saint Paul Headquarters

Pioneer Press/Frekerick Melo

In St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, a financial literacy and college-readiness program has opened a student business laboratory along the Green Line.

Students from Highland Park Elementary School were the first to experience the “JA BizTown” curriculum in Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest’s new experiential learning center.

Funded by a $17.5 million capital campaign, Junior Achievement bought the century-old building at 1745 W. University Ave. and had it refurbished by RSP Architects and Mortenson Construction.

The “free-market lab” allows students to participate in a simulated economy. Students perform jobs within 18 shops, each of which offers a consumer product or service. Shops are sponsored by actual Minnesota companies.

The building also houses the “JA Finance Park” and a first-of-its-kind “JA Innovation Incubator” that uses digital learning to simulate a startup business experience.

The capital campaign was led by a $4 million gift from entrepreneur Jim Hemak, who opened 39 Great Clips stores across the country, and his wife, Pat.

Previously located in Maplewood, Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest has served students in Minnesota, North Dakota and western Wisconsin since 1949. The national organization this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.