TACC turns 100

TICONDEROGA | On Feb. 21, 1925, 30 like-minded Ticonderogians, each representing differing business interests, came together informally to create a chamber of commerce. Less than two months later on Friday, April 3, the Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce held a public organizational meeting, cementing itself formally and permanently. That week, the Ticonderoga Sentinel predicted it would soon be an "active, progressive, and valuable civic organization." A century later as the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) turns 100, those words have not only come full circle, but have proven to be more than accurate. "We are very excited to be celebrating our past and shaping our future," said TACC President and CEO, Matt Courtight. "None of us have any plans of slowing down. We will continue to have ambitious aspirations as we turn 100." Those ambitions included an update to the TACC moniker in 2024 in an effort to more appropriately reflect all of the responsibilities under the chamber's umbrella. They are now the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce & Center for Economic Vitality. The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce wears many hats while it serves the five towns of Ti, Hague, Crown Point, Putnam, and Moriah. It isn't just about monthly business mixers- TACC has ongoing economic development initiatives, business development services, business training, employment and workforce development programs, tourism and marketing initiatives, and boasts many partnerships. "If it relates to supporting the business community, supporting anything with economic development, if it relates to events happening- even if we are not the lead- we are involved in some sort of capacity," Courtright revealed. On any given day, the TACC office at 94 Montcalm Street is a hubbub of activity with a rotating door and phones that don't stop ringing. They are working with 10 to 20 partner agencies at any given time and overseeing dozens of events (32 that they were in charge of in 2024). Visitor packets go out all the time across the country, even to Canada and as far away as Poland. They are the business center and visitor center simultaneously. "Something we have learned through working with other chambers regionally and across the state is that every chamber is a little bit different, and that is important to note," Courtright revealed. "Based on where you are located and the types of businesses that are your key service industry, you will be different. Base level there are always particular services and programs you have to offer- everything you are doing has to relate back to supporting your members, the business community and growth of community and the economics of your service territory." They often say that it is timing, luck, and circumstances that influence favorable outcomes, and having the right people in the right position at the right time also can't hurt. Courtright's resume reads like he was made to be TACC's Executive Director. A Ti High graduate in 2010, he headed south to Albany and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications from The College of St. Rose. St. Rose prepped him well, proving a valuable internship with the New York State Senate's Media Service Department where he worked in photography, scheduled and arranged press conferences, and worked with media on the front lines. The plan was to remain there permanently after graduation in 2004, but St. Rose threw a fortuitous curveball his way, offering a trip to Ireland to establish an internship program with the Irish Prime Minister's press office. He couldn't and didn't say no, adding one more valuable experience that he would ultimately bring back to his hometown. He headed Silver Bay's Marketing and Sales Department, and though he asserts he loved that job, he felt the call for a career that would positively impact his hometown of Ticonderoga for the long term. "I can remember clearly in the interview process for this position we talked about different things and different ideas I had," he recalled. "I said to them that I was very interested in this position and interested in moving the community forward and working with the businesses, but if they were interested in keeping things status quo, I wasn't their guy. If they wanted to expand on what was working well, and launch many new programs, benefits, services, partnerships, and develop long-term initiatives, then I was the man for this crucial job." He must have been on to something. In the 15 years since Courtright took the helm, there has been tremendous growth in the area and within the chamber. Beginning with 125/130 chamber members, there has easily been more than 150 percent member growth, and partnerships have also increased significantly, leading to a stronger organization. Volunteers too, what Courtright calls a "rarity and a blessing," have been consistently generous with their time and believed in TACC. Courtright makes it no secret that without volunteer efforts, TACC would have a difficult go of it functioning with such high efficiency. And the staff, once getting along with a skeleton crew on 1.5 people is now up to five, with another position predicted to be added in 2026. "There has been a ton of investment from local entrepreneurs and many businesses have opened," Courtright said. "We have very few vacant properties in comparison to a decade ago; we are always working with a number of people who are interested in starting businesses and we are actually having issues finding them spots. At this point, if there is a habitable building, someone is in it. And if it seems vacant, it's either under rehabilitation and we will have people ready to move in once completed." According to Courtright, the 1920s where TACC saw its genesis were quite the decade for Ticonderoga. Much like present day, there was a noticeable period of growth, forward movement, and revitalization in just about every sector of town. Ticonderoga was being catapulted into the 20th century thanks to visionaries and benefactors, and their footprints are still very much alive in 2025. "A lot of key businesses and organizations that are still in existence today formed around 100/101 years ago," he said. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Courtright believes that Ticonderogians past and present have all shared common traits of tenacity and perseverance, and though the economy and an ever-evolving world has presented Ticonderoga with its share of challenges and even years of harsh economic decline, the Chamber and its supporters have always come back swinging, fully aware that the land between two waters- and its surrounding communities- do not lack for potential if the energy is properly harnessed. "If someone is considering opening a local business, they will be paying special attention and doing their research, looking at other businesses to compare and see how busy they are," he explained, adding that it ultimately lies within residents' control when and how fast the town and surrounding municipalities grow. "What you can do as community members is make sure you are supporting our existing businesses as much as possible. The more they support locally the quicker we will be able to grow because businesses will be able to invest in themselves and grow and that attracts additional investment." One economic hurdle in present-day TACC is navigating is the lack of transportation for visitors. "Transportation in general is a challenge, and that is not unique to our five towns, it is a regional issue," Courtright said. Ticonderoga is nestled between two massive lakes that draw thousands to the area, but does not have a waterfront main street like Bolton Landing, Lake George, and Schroon Lake. If people and their spending money are coming by boat, train, and airplane, how do you draw them into downtown? "Getting people around internally without tourist transportation makes things difficult, two taxi cabs aren't enough to meet the demand," he acknowledged. "However, yes, it is a challenge but it is a business opportunity. If someone is interested in investing in the Ticonderoga area, we would love to meet with them and talk about a business plan for a transportation company." It's not the first time TACC has had to pivot to meet the changing needs of the community. COVID hit the workforce with substantial force, and many key industries (health, public education, and service to name a few) still haven't made a full recovery, and that hits small towns particularly hard. TACC's response was to launch new programming, one in particular aimed at workforce development that has seen success, the crisis not eradicated but now under control. "We are working right now with a new partner agency to apply for a larger multi-year grant that would focus on expanding our workforce development program for the adult population and school systems," he shared. Work is being done within the school system now, and the hope is that the effort will pay off years down the line. "We are trying to change the perception of kids who grow up in this area who think they have to leave to find employment," Courtright said, a prime example himself. "We want them to see they can go to college and come back home because there is a future here for them." To celebrate their big year, TACC will of course be holding its annual fundraiser dinner and auction at the Barn at Lord Howe Valley on Friday, June 13. The 100th birthday bash will happen Friday, Sept. 19 at War Cannon Spirits. For those who love history, there is a TACC exhibit on display free to the public at their Montcalm Street headquarters, and keep an eye out for their 100th anniversary insert in the months ahead thanks to Sun Community News & Printing. "It really is a circle of support, we say that all the time. Without the support of our members, we wouldn't exist, I try to send that message out every single day," Courtright reflected. "It is a relationship of mutualism- if the community is supporting our businesses, the businesses are strong and in turn can support us. We are then able to return that support and provide more programs and services and economic development."

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