TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Troy University IDEA Bank is bringing another idea to life as its 2024 summer workshop series continues.

Over the summer, the IDEA Bank has hosted a summer workshop series geared toward helping local businesses improve. Dianna Lee, with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, told TrojanVision how the idea came to be.

“People from the IDEA Bank, people from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and people from the city of Troy came together as a group and we thought we’re going to offer a workshop series.”

Topics are designed to help local small businesses improve their operations and continue to thrive. Wednesday’s breakout session touched on finances.

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“We offer three sessions that primarily deal with financing your company what are the different products and services that you need as a small business owner and then how do you know that your business is financially stable,” Lee told TrojanVision. “They’ve been very well attended. We’ve been very excited about them we have top-notch prisoners and I think this is something that people can learn from and benefit from.”

Roxie Kitchens, the Regions Bank assistant branch manager, told TrojanVision the sessions are invaluable.

“I just encourage any business owners to not be intimidated by their bank or their questions don’t think that your question has no merit because, believe me, if you have a question about something, other people have that same question,” Kitchens said. “Call your banker come, to some of these meetings that they are having but, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call because that’s what your banker wants to do is answer your questions.”

The IDEA Bank has two more breakout sessions planned that will also focus on finances. Those sessions are scheduled for July 24 and July 31.