In last month’s article I promised to follow up with a press release and some photos of the ribbon cutting at Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center in Salisbury. The ribbon cutting was the culmination of over four years of planning, fundraising, and constructing of a facility that will connect students from Kent County, Maryland to Accomack County, Virginia, and every Maryland county in between.

It will also provide a gathering space for potential future use by businesses and non-profits with state-of-the-art technology.

The following is the official press release.

“Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES) officially opened its new facility to over 10,000 students annually on Oct. 26 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center. The 25,000 sq. ft. facility is located in the Oak Ridge Commons in Salisbury at the site of the former Kmart. The $7.5 million center will house students from nine counties, including Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, and Accomack (VA).“The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will change education throughout the eastern shore,” said Jayme Hayes, President of JAES. “We are so thankful to our donors, community partners, board members, educators, students and more for helping us make this dream a reality. The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will be the first of its kind on Maryland’s eastern shore, offering JA capstone programs such as JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. Both will allow students to interact with local businesses to discover how these organizations benefit them as consumers but also show the opportunities that await in their own backyard. Partnering businesses include TidalHealth, Pohanka of Salisbury, Green Street Housing, Chick-fil-A, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Delmarva Power, Choptank Electric, Delaware Elevator, Coastal Association of Realtors and several more. The Center will house students from the public, private and home-school sector, primarily hosting Grades 5-7, while providing several opportunities for students in other grade levels to attend. Junior Achievement will continue with its in-classroom programming and annual events like JA Inspire and the JA Stock Market Challenge to ensure every student in JA’s impact area continues to receive programming. Primary objectives of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center include increasing graduation rates, providing a better understanding of money management, providing economic growth, showcasing local career opportunities, and increasing students’ soft skills.

“Every student in the region will come through this facility,” said Hayes. “We’re revolutionizing how our students learn the skills needed to succeed outside the classroom. The Perdue Henson JA Center will create an impact our local economy will feel for years to come.” To learn more about the Perdue Henson JA Center, please visit inspiredbyexperiencejaes.org.

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating youth, grades K-12 both public and private, on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Our hands-on, age-appropriate programs inspire youth to live within their means, prepare for the world of work and understand the free enterprise system. We are an enhancement to what kids learn in school and a direct link to real-life applications, making school relevant and increasing students’ engagement in the classroom.”

Missing from the press release is how significant the commitment is from the business community to promote and support the mission of Junior Achievement. The total cost to renovate and build this facility totaled $ 7.5 million, of which all but $400,000 has been donated or funded by grants.

Furthermore 18 businesses, trade associations and colleges have made 3-year commitments to rent, staff and support storefronts that will provide interactive experiences for students with potential to expand to adults.

I encourage anyone interested in seeing the facility or learning more about the impact Junior Achievement has on the future of our communities and our children to please reach out to me. I would be more than happy to share my excitement about Junior Achievements’ impact on our students.

I, my wife Jeanne, and daughter Kelsey wish all of you a very Blessed and Joyful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Rowe is Vice President/Lending for Bay Capital Mortgage Corp. with offices in Easton and Annapolis. He has lived in Caroline for his entire life and supports the county by volunteering in a variety of ways. He currently lives near Greensboro with his wife Jeanne and daughter Kelsey.