Greenville concludes AI business bootcamp to boost local economy

The city of Greenville, Mississippi, announced the successful completion of its second six-week AI Readiness Business Bootcamp, designed to equip local business owners with skills in artificial intelligence and digital tools.

Mayor Errick D. Simmons highlighted that the program aims to strengthen existing businesses and foster economic growth through innovation. The initiative includes training in AI marketing, customer service automation, chatbots, and business operations, providing participants with practical skills to compete in a changing economy.

The program is supported by a $60,000 grant from the National League of Cities, part of the Southern Cities Economic Initiative. The grant funds a two-year community tech-readiness project focused on AI applications for local businesses, officials said.

Simmons emphasized that economic development involves empowering current businesses and entrepreneurs, not just attracting new ones. He said, “When we invest in people, we strengthen businesses. When we strengthen businesses, we create jobs. And when we create opportunity, we build a stronger, smarter, and more resilient Greenville.”

He thanked partners including the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and other philanthropic organizations. He also praised local leaders and institutions such as Mississippi Delta Community College and America’s Small Business Development Centers for their support in advancing entrepreneurship and economic opportunity across Greenville and Washington County.

Simmons concluded, “The future of Greenville will not be defined simply by the technology we adopt, but by the people we empower and the opportunities we create.”

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