Small (City) But Mighty

Small- to mid-sized U.S. cities have long been overlooked in the tech and talent landscape. Today, AI is leveling the playing field, unlocking new opportunities for businesses to innovate, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace.

From Wilkes-Barre, PA to Burlington, VT to Tucson, AZ, business owners across the country are searching for new ways to stay competitive. In today’s hyper-competitive business and retail markets, small and mid-sized cities often find themselves left behind in the race to adopt artificial intelligence. Major hubs like New York or Chicago attract the best AI talent, but that doesn’t mean smaller communities should be excluded from the future. In fact, the real opportunity lies in bringing AI consulting to places like Lexington, Norfolk, or Tallahassee, where entrepreneurs are ready to innovate but lack the right guidance.

Consider John, the founder of a small real estate company in Little Rock, Arkansas. His days are long, his team is small, and the demands of modern business seem to multiply faster than he can keep up. He knows AI could help him predict housing market trends, automate paperwork, and save countless hours—but he feels trapped. “I’m not sure how to use AI,” John admits. “All the top talent is in larger cities. If I wanted a market researcher or a prediction consultant, I’d have to travel to Atlanta or Dallas.” John’s story is common: business owners who recognize the potential of AI but assume it’s out of reach.

Imagine Marcus, who runs a family-owned hardware store in Lexington, Kentucky. For decades, he relied on the same supply chain partners and predictable seasonal trends. But in recent years, disruptions have become the norm: shipments delayed, costs rising, and customer buying habits changing in ways he can’t track fast enough. “I used to order based on gut instinct,” Marcus admits. “But lately, my shelves are either overstocked with items no one wants or empty of the things everyone’s asking for.”

This is where AI transforms not just productivity, but survival. By analyzing sales data, market patterns, and even regional weather forecasts, AI tools can help Marcus predict demand with uncanny accuracy. Instead of guessing what his customers will need, he’s able to stock strategically, cut waste, and stay ahead of shortages. That kind of resilience is priceless in a small city where one bad season can make or break a business.

When business owners see AI only as an automation tool, they miss its larger potential: adaptability. AI doesn’t just save hours—it helps businesses pivot quickly in uncertain times. Whether it’s a real estate office in Little Rock, or a hardware store in Lexington, AI gives small businesses something they’ve never had before: the power to anticipate change instead of merely reacting to it.

Now picture Jessica in Asheville, North Carolina. She owns a bakery and manages a catering sales team on the side. Unlike John, Jessica embraced AI early on, and it completely reshaped her work. She automates repetitive tasks, uses AI to analyze her sales data, and even optimizes her team’s performance. “I work faster now. I have more time to focus on my craft and connect with my customers,” she says, pulling a tray of cherry scones from the oven. “Instead of drowning in spreadsheets, I finally get to bake again.” Jessica proves that even in a smaller city, AI isn’t just a distant dream—it’s a tool that can transform a business.

The truth is, AI doesn’t belong only to Silicon Valley or Wall Street. It’s the great equalizer of our time. Where once a small company might have struggled to afford a full-time marketer, accountant, or assistant, today they can access those capabilities through technology. For business owners in communities like Norfolk, VA and Tallahassee, FL, the opportunity to thrive is right here, waiting to be unlocked.

The businesses that will win in the coming years are not necessarily the ones in the biggest cities—they’re the ones that embrace AI early, wherever they are. AI consulting in Lexington, for example, isn’t about replacing people with machines; it’s about giving small businesses the same advantages that billion-dollar companies enjoy. It’s about leveling the playing field so that talent, creativity, and community can shine just as brightly in smaller markets as they do in the biggest hubs.

The AI revolution is not just coming to small cities—it’s already here. The only question is who will take the first step.

By Tom Foreman, Founder