Junior Achievement of Central Iowa has received a $250,000 contribution from Wells Fargo, which will enable the nonprofit to eventually expand its programming to an additional 10,000 teen students. With the lead gift, Junior Achievement plans to convert its existing auditorium into “JA Finance Park Powered by Wells Fargo.” The $650,000 project will provide an added simulated learning environment where middle and high school students will practice financial literacy skills. Initial JA Finance Park simulations are taking place in Junior Achievement’s Richard O. Jacobson JA BizTown space facility. However, with a waitlist already in place and expected program growth, JA BizTown needs to maintain its space, the nonprofit said in a news release. “We’re very grateful for Wells Fargo’s leadership gift, which launches our campaign to create a dedicated home for JA Finance Park,” said Ryan Osborn, president of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa. “We believe JA Finance Park will serve students as a ‘financial literacy laboratory’ that grows their financial capability.” The Weitz Co., which also built JA BizTown, will be the general contractor for the project, which was designed by Simonson & Associates Architects. Based upon further fundraising, plans are in place to begin construction of the new space this summer with a goal to open sometime during the 2020-21 school year. To read a Business Record Insider profile of Ryan Osborn, click here.