AI Workshop in Southwest Virginia

The Challenge

The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority’s (VCEDA) member counties are home to high-potential industrial sites, but local teams faced challenges in clearly positioning those properties and identifying the right prospects.

Staff had limited access to tools that could streamline research and outreach, and most had not yet explored how artificial intelligence could be integrated into their business attraction workflows. The region needed a practical, hands-on approach to modernize how it markets sites and targets companies.

The Solution

Camoin Associates designed and delivered a custom “AI Boot Camp” for all seven VCEDA counties, focused on teaching and applying AI tools for real-time site positioning and prospect outreach. Each county received:

• A SiteMatchGPT site analysis, including best-use summary, readiness scorecard, industry targeting, and a list of 5–10 qualified companies
• Training on using AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and LinkedIn tools to find, research, and engage with prospects
• A tailored micro-campaign, including email and LinkedIn messaging, site talking points, and a 90-day outreach action plan

Follow-up coaching sessions ensured teams had support turning insights into action.

The Impact

The workshop equipped VCEDA’s counties with ready-to-use tools and strategies to accelerate lead generation and outreach. Each team walked away with:

• A positioned site supported by clear industry matches and prospect rationale
• A qualified list of companies to begin engaging immediately
• AI-powered workflows that cut down research and writing time
• A deeper understanding of how to use AI to scale business attraction efforts

Counties are now better positioned to market their sites, target the right industries, and move faster when opportunities arise—making AI a lasting part of their economic development strategy.

Services Provided:

• AI tools training and enablement
• Technology integration for business attraction
• AI-powered site analysis (SiteMatchGPT)
• Industry targeting and NAICS alignment
• Prospect identification and list building
• Action planning and follow-up strategy sessions

Learn more about our prospecting and business attraction services and tools