Troy University’s IDEA Bank and the Small Business Development Center at Troy University hosted an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday, April 9 as a way to introduce the communities in the Wiregrass to what both can offer the area.

The IDEA Bank, located on the Square in downtown Troy in a former bank building, is a gateway between the businesses in the community and the University and its students. It is also home to the Troy Bank and Trust Entrepreneurship Program where students cand develop, launch and hone businesses. 

“It’s been a great mentorship. There’s a positive network and it teaches you how to use the things that you’ve learned here at Troy University and how to apply them to your ideas,” said Sierra Champion, who works with the non-profit SHORT the Squirrel, a children’s literacy project.

“We want the community to know that the IDEA Bank is not only a place that serves Troy University students,” said Lynne Firmin George, the IDEA Bank’s director and economic development coordinator at TROY. “This is a place to link University resources with businesses, non-profits and community organizations across Alabama. Here, we hope to provide the assistance needed to move not only the Wiregrass but all of Alabama forward.”

One of those resources is the Small Business Development Center that concentrates needed consulting services for businesses with 500 or fewer employees – both existing and people looking for help in launching new businesses.

“The IDEA Bank is the place where we bring it all together – our Small Business Development Center, our entrepreneurial program, our economic development efforts – in support of our students, our community, our alumni, and our local and regional businesses,” Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development Walter Givhan said. “This is where we create the synergy that connects and fuels the economic engine of growth and prosperity at every level.  It’s an exciting place to be.”

In addition to a ribbon cutting ceremony, Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., provided comments to the gathering, which was a come-and-go event from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.

For more information about accessing the resources of the IDEA Bank, contact Lynne Firmin George at 334-770-2624.

View photos from the event at https://troyuniversity.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000EveJ5uraKPI/G0000B9kzJBoMFb0/20210408-IDEA-Bank-Open-House