Proof That AI Works in Economic Development
Most leaders arrive here feeling curious but cautious. They’ve seen the hype, heard the buzzwords, and wondered: Will AI really work in my world?
That’s exactly where Meghan, Pat, and Erica started too.
Real Results in the Field
$100K in Receivables, Recovered
It wasn’t quick. Over the course of a year, with a particularly difficult customer at the business my husband operates, we put AI to the test. The goal wasn’t just speed—it was resolution without the cost and frustration of legal action.
For small businesses and organizations alike, that’s the kind of leverage AI makes possible: reclaiming resources without escalating costs.
A Childcare Strategy That Sparked an Alliance
We didn’t have the funding or political pull to get stakeholders behind childcare, even though it was crippling workforce participation. So, I partnered with AI to create an Economic Impact Whitepaper, produced and hosted a half-day Childcare Summit, and walked away with the first draft of a cross-industry childcare alliance.
AI didn’t magically solve the issue, but it gave us the tools to elevate childcare from a side conversation to the center of workforce strategy.
Disaster Recovery Toolkit: Built From the Floods of July 2025
In July 2025, flooding hit Kerrville. I spent eight straight days in the Social Services Building of our local Salvation Army, watching colleagues and civil servants stretched thin as communication silos rose out of nowhere.
While serving on the ground, I spun up a team of 13 virtual volunteers who became “keyboard warriors.” In less than 72 hours, we launched the first version of a flood resources website—later handed off to Kerr EDC and now live as KerrTogether.com. We also partnered with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to route calls and resources more efficiently to victims and first responders.
Out of those hard lessons came nine workflows that no community, no matter its size or budget, should be without.
TheTownie.ai: A Grassroots Proving Ground
And then there’s TheTownie.ai. It isn’t officially recognized as an Economic Development Organization—yet. What it is, though, is the foundation of a grassroots movement spanning five cities and five counties.
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be elected to lead.
It’s where you can see what lands, what flops, and what it really takes to bring AI into community leadership. I’m not preaching from a pulpit—I’m in the field, right alongside you.
What Leaders Are Saying
-- Meghan, Executive Director, MEDA
“In under 60 minutes, Katie took us from AI theory to practical application with clarity and momentum. I highly recommend it for all EDO leaders ready to move from concept to action.”
-- Pat Jamison, CEcD
“I must admit I was very skeptical about this new technology, but I am now a believer that AI can have a profound impact on the Economic Development community! The results were spot on, in great detail, and very timely. Very impressive.”
-- Erica Sittler, VP of Strategic Affairs
“Katie, you are worthy of all the success you are harnessing. Thank you for being my teacher, mentor, collaborator, and in time, good friend.”
-- Ian Colin McCain, MCD
"Katie’s workshop was the best I’ve attended at MEDA—practical, clear, and immediately applicable. She helped me see how AI can drive real outcomes, from creating AI policies for cities and schools to supporting chambers and small business development."
The Invitation
If you’ve ever wondered whether AI could make a measurable difference in your work—the answer is yes. The proof is here. The leaders who lean in now will be the ones others look to later.
Welcome to the future-ready edge of economic development.
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