NILES, Ohio – A new financial education resource for students and young adults will debut in late spring 2026, officials behind the project said.
During an event at Eastwood Mall on Tuesday, representatives of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio unveiled plans for the new JA Economic Education and Workforce Center at the mall’s Center Court.
“The Junior Achievement Economic Education and Workforce Center is an exciting new initiative designed to deliver hands-on learning experiences to thousands of students each year,” said Michele Merkel, president of JA of Eastern Ohio. “Students in grades four through 12 and young adults up to age 25 will participate in simulation-based programs that bring learning to life in meaningful ways.”
The center, located in a 16,000-square-foot space on the mall’s second floor, also will house the JA chapter’s offices, she added.
Following 12 classroom lessons, students participating in JA BizTown will prepare for careers during the five-and-a-half-hour simulation to reinforce what they have learned, she said. In JA Finance Park, students from grades seven through 12 and young adults up to age 25 will develop monthly budgets based on assigned life scenarios, including making choices about housing and transportation.
“JA BizTown isn’t just a fun field trip. It’s a start to something bigger. It’s helping us become leaders of tomorrow,” said Addison Cann, a student at St. Rose School. Cann was among five students who read modified scrips aloud based on career roles in the simulations.
“Together, we’re building a brighter future for our youth, and that future starts right here in this Valley,” Dr. Rajiv Taneja, an Austintown dentist and president of JA of Eastern Ohio’s board, said after thanking various community partners.
Those thanked include the Cafaro Co., which operates the mall, along with representatives of Youngstown State university, Kent State University at Trumbull, Olsavsky Jaminet Architects, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Lake to River Economic Development and state and local elected officials.
Discussions about the center began about two years ago, said Anthony Cafaro Jr., co-president of Cafaro Co. The company has had “a great relationship” with JA, which regularly holds events at the mall.
“Supporting financial literacy is really a step in the right direction to keeping the folks in the community long-term,” he said.
The center “aligns perfectly” with the Regional Chamber’s decision three years ago to make growing the local population and talent pool a top priority, said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the chamber.
“We are on the verge of significant economic growth,” he said. The Mahoning Valley received a reminder of that Monday with Foxconn’s announcement that it would use the entire former General Motors Lordstown plant, which “validates that we need to grow our talent and grow our population here” to fill the jobs that will be created.
Once it opens, the center will attract students from a 90-mile radius, Merkel said.
Programs at the center will run Monday through Friday, as well as select Saturdays, Sundays and evenings for nontraditional school groups inside the center. The space will feature 15 storefronts, two interactive kiosks, a pet service station and a “life wheel,” which adds surprise expenses to test participants’ financial decision-making.
Industries represented will include banking, media, health care, hospitality, engineering, higher education, transportation and others, she said.
So far, nearly half of the $3 million needed to complete the center has been raised, Taneja said. Part of the fundraising includes seeking sponsorships ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for the storefronts and other spaces.
“We have two or three [storefronts] already committed, but we have a lot of other people who are interested,” he said.
The lease for the space is 12 years, with an option to renew another five years, Merkel said.
“So we are looking at late spring of 2026 for construction to be done. Then we’ll fully equip it with furniture and equipment,” Merkel said. After running some pilot programming during the summer, the center will be operational for the entire 2026-27 academic year.
Pictured at top: Michele Merkel, president of JA of Eastern Ohio.