JA of the Heartland unveils new facility, names new Moline site "Michael Duffy JA BizTown"

Junior Achievement of the Heartland has officially renamed its JA BizTown site the "Michael Duffy JA BizTown," honoring the late Quad-Cities business leader's longtime support. The announcement came during a press conference and open house Tuesday at the new JA Inspiration Center in Moline, a slated to open for students next month. The new 13,000 square-foot facility features 14 model storefronts, interactive exhibits and touchscreen technology.

Dougal Nelson, CEO of JA of the Heartland, said the Inspiration Center will serve more than 8,000 local students each year — a 30% increase from the former JA World facility in downtown Davenport. Local educators, media and other stakeholders tour Junior Achievement of the Heartland's new JA Biztown site — officially renamed the Michael Duffy JA Biztown — on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, during an open house of the new JA Inspiration Center in Moline.

"The Inspiration Center, as you can see, is a state-of-the-art learning facility," he said Tuesday. "It's designed to inspire and empower young minds as they prepare to embark on their professional journeys." With this increased capacity, JA can now run its Biztown and Finance Park programs simultaneously.

"The Inspiration Center remains the only facility in our area where students get to experience the roles and responsibilities of adulthood," Nelson said. "Students who spend the day at (Biztown and JA Finance Park) feel empowered to make financial decisions and work together as a busi.