NILES — As different programs offered by Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio help prepare local youth for the business world, the organization is planning to enhance that learning with a JA BizTown at the Eastwood Mall.

Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement, said the BizTown is located on the second floor of the Eastwood Mall and will help youth understand how businesses are run and how people market products.

Merkel said BizTown is like a miniature city with a bank, businesses, city hall, a hospital, a college/university and storefronts. When completed, there will be 15 storefronts.

She said the final touches are being put on the program, which will be geared toward children in grades fourth to sixth.

“The children will learn how a city operates and what is needed to run a business and a city,” she said.

Merkel said the program using BizTown will help youth understand how businesses and the manufacturing industries contribute to a community.

The students complete a 12-step in-classroom curriculum and participate in a fully functioning simulated town. They will apply for jobs, manage bank accounts, run businesses and make real economic decisions.

Merkel said the program builds entrepreneurship, financial literacy and teamwork skills at the right age.

She said the students will learn different business-themed lessons in their classrooms and then come to BizTown to apply those lessons.

Merkel said students will learn what is involved to go to a bank to start a checking account or savings account. She said students also will learn about what a salary is and how one budgets household, transportation, clothing, food and other daily costs.

Merkel said the BizTown project has been in the works for the past few years.

She said the program helps youth become more successful in their careers and in life while inspiring them to put down roots and grow communities.

“Through real-world learning experiences, students gain the confidence, skills and vision to thrive,” Merkel said.

She said other programs will be geared toward students in grades seventh to 12th, such as JA Finance Park, which also includes a 12-step curriculum and then has students navigate real life financial scenarios at the center. They learn about budgeting, housing, transportation, insurance and savings.

Merkel said this program equips teens with practical money skills and decision-making confidence before the stakes are real.

Merkel said the JA of Eastern Ohio covers Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties.

YOUTH MARKET DAY

One way youth learn about the business world is twice a year, Junior Achievements hosts youth market days in the spring and summer at the Eastwood Mall.

The recent spring market day had 11 area youth marketing bird feeders, soaps and headbands.

Hana Hakeem, programs/special event manager for JA, said the market days allow local youth to gain experience in front of the public, who are potential customers.

“They get to speak to people and discuss their products and how the products can benefit someone,” Hakeem said.

Alison Huffman, programs/special events manager for JA, said the youth learn about pricing their products and profit margins.

“This provides an opportunity for them to see how the business world works if they are selling a product. They learn to market a product and talk about it with the public,” Huffman said.

Hakeem said the youth also take part in markets such as the Pearl Street Market in Cortland.

Sisters Bethany Peffer, 13, and Alaina Peffer, 15, of Girard, have taken part in JA markets before.

Alaina previously sold cards but is now selling earrings. Bethany is selling popcorn after previously selling cookies. Alaina said she and Bethany started with the markets in elementary school.

“People will ask me what is homemade and what I do to make the cards,” Alaina said.

“I am asked what ingredients are used. This helps me with communicating with people,” Bethany said.

The two said their brother was also involved in JA Market Day for years but he aged out of the program.

Merkel said parents being supportive of their children is what makes the children successful in what they market and sell.

Kiam Warren, 7, of Hubbard, was promoting his “Happy Hands Crafts,” including items that glow in the dark and other calming items..

Danielle Warren said her son enjoys being part of the market and learning about different ways to promote products.