Richardson ISD and Junior Achievement Open Biztown Site
The new facility repurposes a former school to provide students with hands-on business operations experience.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Richardson ISD and Junior Achievement of Dallas have opened a new career-focused learning facility, Biztown, at the former Greenwood Hills Elementary School site. The program introduces students to real-world business operations through simulated storefronts and corporate roles.
Why it matters
The district is repurposing a surplus school property into an educational hub that aims to build early career interest and financial literacy. By hosting simulated corporate environments, the program creates a pipeline for future workforce development in the region.
The Biztown facility occupies the former Greenwood Hills Elementary School, which closed in 2024 after serving the district. It follows the model of the original Enterprise City program which launched in 1985.
The players
Richardson ISD
A public school district responsible for educating students and managing educational infrastructure in Richardson, Texas.
Junior Achievement of Dallas
A non-profit organization that provides work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programs to students.
State Farm
A diversified financial services and insurance corporation that maintains a simulated storefront at the Biztown facility.
Toyota
A global automotive manufacturer that operates a simulated storefront within the new educational space.
FedEx
A global logistics and transportation company that provides a simulated business presence for student training.
The details
Students work as employees and executives, managing simulated storefronts for companies like State Farm, Toyota, and FedEx. The curriculum requires participants to set prices, manage store inventory, and produce radio advertisements to gain hands-on experience in financial literacy and business management.
Timeline
1985: The original Enterprise City program started.
2024: Greenwood Hills Elementary School closed.
October 25, 2026: Biztown opened to students.
Market Landscape
This facility continues the legacy of the 1985 Enterprise City program by updating experiential learning for modern students. It follows a growing trend of partnerships between public school districts and corporate entities to bolster career-readiness training.
Business owners in the area should monitor the facility for potential future partnerships or outreach opportunities as it scales. The program serves as a signal of the local focus on developing specific workforce soft skills for the next generation.
The takeaway
The program emphasizes that early exposure to business operations can effectively build foundational financial literacy for students. Operators should track the curriculum's development to see how it aligns with the evolving skill sets requested by local employers.
What happens next
A high school version of the Biztown experience is currently in development.
Further reading
Explore more local business transitions in our Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Dallas Morning News.
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