SSP Students Run Simulated City at BizTown

South St. Paul Middle School students recently stepped into the shoes of adults for a day with their annual trip to JA BizTown. BizTown is a simulated city designed to teach young people about the world of work, money management, and entrepreneurship. Before arriving at BizTown, students spent time in class preparing for their work day by applying for jobs, interviewing, and even electing a town mayor. Each business in the simulated city had a CEO, CFO, and essential workers.

The day began with students setting up their businesses, followed by a town hall meeting where the newly elected mayor and business leaders addressed the town's citizens. Once the town officially opened, the young professionals got to work, tackling tasks that mirrored real-world responsibilities to help their businesses thrive.

Students managed payroll, invoiced other companies, applied for business loans, and worked diligently to pay back those loans by the end of the day. Each business had creative ways to sell products to consumers or other businesses, while students balanced checkbooks and learned valuable lessons about managing money and business operations. Between their tasks, students had two well-earned breaks to eat lunch and spend their BizTown money at other businesses.

The day concluded with a closing town hall meeting, where students who opened savings accounts or donated to the BizTown charity were entered into prize drawings. Awards were given for other achievements such as Best Customer Service, Best Dressed for the Job, Best Run Business, and Best Marketing.

The experience left students with a deeper understanding of teamwork, leadership, and the many factors that go into running a business. By taking on the roles of CEOs, accountants, and business professionals, SSP students gained valuable life skills they'll carry forward into their futures.