AI in the Community: How Rural Entrepreneurs Are Using AI to Work Smarter, Not Harder

At the Kricker Innovation Hub we’ve spent the last year and a half exploring a powerful question: Is AI a friend or foe to rural communities? What started as a conversation in our Speaker Series has grown into a movement - one that’s helping entrepreneurs, educators, and small business owners rethink how they work, create, and grow.

From Curiosity to Capability

Since that speaker series nearly two years ago, we’ve partnered with AI Owl through TechCred Ohio, collaborated with Innovative Consulting, and hosted Lunch & Learns to help our community understand how AI can be a tool—not a threat.

We’ve integrated AI into programs like Startup Weekend Portsmouth and our Ignite Portsmouth Bootcamp, and we’ve seen firsthand how it can reduce workloads, spark creativity, and streamline operations.

The Rural Reality

Of course, rural communities face unique challenges:

  • Digital skill gaps between generations

  • Limited access to training

  • Skepticism in academia

But we’ve found that when AI is introduced with care, context, and community support, it becomes a powerful equalizer.

Tools We Trust

We’ve leaned on three key platforms:

  • Magai: A multi-AI platform with memory features that help tailor responses over time.

  • ChatGPT: A flexible tool for writing, brainstorming, and problem-solving.

  • Copilot: Integrated into Microsoft tools like Outlook and Word, making it easy to adopt for teams already using Office.

Each has its strengths—and quirks—but together they’ve helped us unlock new efficiencies across our ecosystem.

Use Cases That Make a Difference

Here are some of the most impactful ways rural entrepreneurs and small businesses are using AI today:

Marketing & Branding

  • Social Media Content Creation: Captions, hashtags, and post ideas tailored to local audiences.

  • Catchy Event Naming: AI helps brainstorm creative names for workshops, bootcamps, and promotions.

  • Email Drafting: Outreach, newsletters, and follow-ups written in seconds.

Program & Business Development

  • Curriculum Enhancement: AI helps improve schedules and learning objectives for programs like Ignite Portsmouth.

  • Grant Writing Assistance: Drafting narratives and justifying expenses based on the notice of funding opportunity

  • Presentation Outlines: From pitch decks to community workshops, AI helps structure ideas clearly.

Operations & Engagement

  • Meeting Summaries: Copilot can summarize meetings and generate action items.

  • Document Drafting: Job descriptions, press releases, and internal policies.

  • Blog Writing: Telling the stories of local entrepreneurs and community wins.

  • Event Planning Support: Checklists, promotional materials, and outreach strategies for events like Startup Weekend.

Real Impact

One of the biggest wins? Grant compliance. By feeding our major grants into ChatGPT and Magai, we’ve been able to ask questions like “Justify this expense under our grant’s specifications”—and get accurate, time-saving answers. This has made our staff more efficient, allowing more time to be spent serving entrepreneurs in the community.

Getting Started

If you’re new to AI, start simple:

  • Use Copilot if your organization runs on Microsoft tools.

  • Try ChatGPT for brainstorming and writing.

  • Be clear in your prompts. Tell the AI what you want, how you want it, and ask: “Is there anything else you need to know to do this well?”

A Challenge for Our Community

We’re inviting every entrepreneur and small business owner to take on this challenge: Try one AI use case this month. Write a blog, draft a grant narrative, create an automated email for your customers, or even create a social media post. Then, share your results with your team or community. Let’s build a smarter, more efficient rural business ecosystem—together!

Kricker Innovation Hub