EVANSVILLE, Ind. (November 19, 2025) – Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the READI 2.0 grant to support the development of the JA Discovery Center – a 24,000-square-foot experiential learning facility designed to inspire and prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
The JA Discovery Center will serve students in grades 4 through 12 from across a 15-county region, offering
immersive, hands-on learning experiences that help young people explore their potential, understand the world
of work, and dream big. This center will be a place of possibility, built on the belief that every young person
deserves the opportunity to succeed.
JA Discovery Center received $1.75 million in support through the READI 2.0 program, funded by the State of
Indiana, awarded by The Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (SWIRDA), and facilitated by
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP), said a representative from the Indiana Economic
Development Corporation (IEDC).
“We are proud to support the Junior Achievement Discovery Center as a vital investment in the future of
southwest Indiana,” said Beth McFadin-Higgins, Chair of the Southwest Indiana Regional Development
Authority. “ By inspiring students from grades 4 through 12 to explore careers, entrepreneurship, and financial
literacy, this center will strengthen the foundation of our regional workforce and drive long-term economic
growth.”
The center will feature three signature capstone programs, JA BizTown, JA Finance Park Entry Level, and JA Finance Park Advanced, where students will engage in real-world simulations that mirror the local economy and community. These programs help students understand financial concepts, develop 21st-century skills, and foster entrepreneurial thinking.
“We are deeply grateful for this investment in our youth,” said Shawn McCoy, CEO of Deaconess Health Systems and Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana Board Chair. “The JA Discovery Center will be a transformative space where students can connect classroom learning to real-world experiences and envision
their future with confidence.”
For more information about Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana and the JA Discovery Center, visit
https://swindiana.ja.org.
About Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana (JASWIN)
Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana’s K-12 programs foster financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills. We are empowering young people with a belief in themselves through these volunteer-based educational experiences teaching students how money, careers and business ownership work. JASWIN serves 15 counties in Southwestern Indiana and Southeastern Illinois and provided JA programs to 21,034 students in 811 classes resulting in 91,769 hours spent between volunteers and the students they inspire. Visit swindiana.ja.org/ for more information.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 2.5 million students per year in 102 markets across the United States, as part of 10 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.
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For more information, contact,
Sarah Tuma
270-853-6133
Sarah.tuma@ja.org