SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP, PA (January 28, 2020) – Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania (JA of Western PA) today celebrated the grand opening and first student visit to JA BizTown®, a fully-interactive, true-to-life simulation that recreates the day-to-day functions of thriving communities. Comcast was one of more than two dozen top regional businesses that have come together and invested millions to create this powerful experience that will inspire students to dream big and reach their full potential.
“Nothing is more important than connecting the dots between what children learn in school and how it’s applied in the real world. Children need to be immersed in experiences that go beyond the four walls of a classroom,” said Dennis Gilfoyle, President and CEO at JA of Western PA. “That’s where JA BizTown® comes in. This dress rehearsal for life allows students the opportunity to test drive one of nearly 120 jobs that make up our local economy and learn first-hand how to manage a business, earn a paycheck, and work in a community.”
A grand opening celebration and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held immediately before 80 students from Claysville Elementary in Claysville, Pa. became the first ‘citizens’ for a day at JA BizTown®. In its first semester of operations, the 10,000 square foot mini-city is expected to host 3,000 students in grades four through six from 22 schools in the greater Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown/Altoona regions.
The journey to JA BizTown® begins in the classroom, where the students studied the basic economic principles at play in every community. During their four and a half hour simulation at JA BizTown®, the students completed a day’s work, developed a personal budget, and much more with support from volunteers and mentors. 
Students working in Comcast’s storefront sold high-speed Internet to each of BizTown’s local businesses, shipped routers at the FedEx storefront, installed service and went through a cybersecurity checklist with each business owner. Their experience helps students learn about how businesses operate as well as the various jobs each company needs to successfully meet their customers’ needs.
More information about careers at Comcast is available here.
