In 1967, a significant partnership between business and education was formed in the Lansing area with the advent of Junior Achievement. Business leaders and employees were given the opportunity to share their business experiences with teachers and students, bringing economics to life.

Influential Lansing business people were involved from the beginning: Auto-Owners Insurance, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Consumers Power, Fisher Body – GM, Michigan National Bank, Merrill Lynch, Pierce and Sears Roebuck Company, to name a few of the companies which provided much-needed financial support in starting the Mid-Michigan Junior Achievement. Twenty Seven companies provided the first volunteers and monies to make sure that JA programs would be provided in the Tri-County area.

From 1967-1979, JA's only activity was the familiar student-run business program, dubbed the Evening Program. In 1967, the initial Evening Program effort attracted various companies and about 120 student participants. Interest and support grew as business firms provided money and advisers.

Today local service continues to grow. In 1967, Junior Achievement had approximately 120 students, volunteers, and a $66,000 budget. Today, JA has over 250 volunteers educating over 6000 students across 3 counties. 

The most important changes have been in the program itself. Although the organization was developed around the Evening Program, JA now offers a continuum of economic education through K-12, in-school and after school programming. In fact, 98% of student activity still occurs within the curriculum-enhanced courses in schools.