22 Jan Business Services, Development, and Programs Continue & Expand at the Chamber – TACC Partners with Local & Regional Organizations
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) will continue to provide and expand their positive and productive business support, development and planning services, and overall resources available to TACC Members, Ticonderoga Area businesses, new entrepreneurs and those looking to do business in the region. TACC offers business support directly to its members, existing businesses and potential new businesses as well as through a variety of partner organizations including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Essex County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, Center For Businesses In Transition via the Adirondack North Country Association, S.C.O.R.E., and the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
These partnerships give members, existing businesses, and potential new businesses access to expertise from regional business professionals versed in every aspect of business, from start up to expansion. Make an appointment with TACC today. TACC is here for you. They work one on one with existing businesses, new entrepreneurs, businesses/companies looking to locate in the Ticonderoga Area, or those just thinking of starting a business.
“We offer a multitude of business support, planning, and development services and resources that are completely confidential. We will also work alongside you and our partners. Together we are your Business Support Team. This model has been very successful and will continue to be as our services and partnerships continue to strengthen,” shared Matthew Courtright – TACC President & CEO.
TACC also works closely locally with PRIDE of Ticonderoga and the Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership in a variety of ways including obtaining grants and funding for the community as well as on community projects and initiatives.
TACC will be launching in 2021 a “Small Towns – Big Opportunities” campaign highlighting the programs services and business opportunities available in the Ticonderoga Area. This will include a new section of their website, new membership benefits resources guide (print and digital), updated business resources guide (print and digital), updated living here resource guide (print and digital) special signage for properties, highlights of opportunities (printed and digital), promotional materials, social media campaign, a variety of outreach and much more. This will be done while also highlighting and including the services available via their key partners.
The SBDC (SUNY Canton SBDC at Clinton Community College) is a TACC partner that offers an array of services in addition to the support and services the Chamber provides. The SBDC is physically located at 100 Clinton Point Drive on the Clinton Community College Campus in Plattsburgh, NY. The SBDC business advisors provide support to North Country entrepreneurs by providing information, counseling, technical assistance and training to help them meet the challenge of today’s complex economy. The SBDC is supported by the State University of New York and the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide high quality business counseling and training to New Yorkers who want to start a business or improve the performance of an existing business. Due to this support, their services are free of charge. Their staff is comprised of business professionals with either small business ownership or executive management experience. They can help you develop practical solutions to deal with the challenges of starting and operating a successful business. The SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clinton Community College is part of a statewide network of 24 regional centers located throughout New York State. The New York State SBDC (NYS/SBDC) is accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and has more than two decades of serving the small business community. SBDC utilizes the Chamber as a satellite location for services including free and confidential one-on-one counseling, market/industry research assistance, customized business training seminars Their team will also assist with business plan development, cash flow projections Financial analysis, legal and regulatory information marketing assistance, business start-up information, buying and selling a business, human resource development, import/export assistance and government procurement.
“The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce has been a key partner for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for more than 10 years. Matt and I work very closely to develop training seminars for the region and deliver customized services to aspiring and existing business owners including business plan development, market research, where to find sources of funding, how to buy or sell a business and more. We look forward to resuming our monthly outreach sessions at the Chamber when it is safe to do so.” – said SUNY Canton SBDC Assistant Director Angela Smith
The Chamber also serves as the Ticonderoga Area Community Liason for the new Center For Businesses In Transition (CBIT) through a partnership with the Adirondack North Country Association. The Adirondack North Country Center for Businesses in Transition addresses the loss of area businesses by providing matchmaking services with potential buyers, access to planning tools and connection with existing services. More than 10,000 businesses in the Adirondack North Country are owned by Baby Boomers looking to retire over the next several years in the so-called “silver tsunami.” It is more than likely that most of these business owners do not have a transition plan. Nationally, while more than 1/2 of small business owners expect to retire in the next 10 years, fewer than 15% have an exit plan in place – despite the fact that 78% of small business owners intend to sell their businesses to fund retirement. The Center is a dynamic partnership between regional organizations and individuals invested in the retention of local businesses and the future of our communities. The goal is to help owners sell their businesses on the open market, complete intergenerational family transitions or convert to an employee-owned or cooperative model as well as successful implement their transition plan. The Essex County Industrial Development Agency also works with the Chamber and the CBIT team on this initiative.
“You may already know that CBIT is a dynamic partnership between regional organizations and individuals invested in the retention of local businesses and the future of our communities. That’s the flashy headline. But what is behind the success of the program is the individual passion and support provided by people like Matt Courtright and Erin Mullen of the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce. Talking to local business owners about their transition plans can be a highly sensitive subject and developing a succession strategy can be a lengthy ordeal, one that can feel like a second job. Leaders at TACC have been able to guide business owners through this process, connect them with free and low-cost resources all while showcasing patience and empathy. They are committed to sharing their knowledge and easing the path for business owners in their communities.” stated Dani Delaini, Business Transition Program Coordinator – Adirondack North Country Association.
This new section of the TACC website will also include information on services available and partnership information (website links/business opportunities) including the Center For Businesses in Transition, Small Business Development Center, Essex County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA), Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, North Country Chamber of Commerce and PRIDE of Ticonderoga. This information exists currently on the Business Resources page on the TACC website but will be expanded with more information on the Small Towns Big Opportunities section.
The Chamber works closely with their partners and local/regional economic development to ensure their collective positive and productive collaboration continues for the betterment of the Ticonderoga Area and the continued growth of the region.
TACC works very closely with the ECIDA to provide important resources and assistance to the area as well as bring funding opportunities to area businesses including the recent Ticonderoga Microenterprise grant. TACC also coordinates and partners with eVision Digital Marketing, Adirondack Economic Development Agency, SCORE, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership and PRIDE of Ticonderoga. TACC also has partnerships with the Town of Ticonderoga and the Town of Hague.
“The partnership the Essex County IDA has with Matt and his team at TACC has strengthened over the years and has helped to bring about business and community economic development projects including main street revitalization, disaster relief, tourism, and infrastructure improvements programs. TACC helps to identify opportunities for sustainable economic growth to bring valuable resources to the new and growing businesses, which in turn helps the community thrive and improves the quality of lives,” commented Carol Calabrese – Co Executive Director/CEO of the Essex County Industrial Development Agency.
“PRIDE of Ticonderoga is grateful to have such an amazing, long standing partnership with the TACC. Their team doesn’t cease to amaze us in their responsiveness, unwavering support, spirit, and dedication to the community. Where PRIDE focuses on enhancing community through the built environment- residential and community spaces, TACC carries out similar efforts on reinforcing the social fabric which envelopes this environment. In their efforts the TACC team helps PRIDE extend our mission, and most of all our Mainstreet Revitalization initiatives by facilitating valuable connections between us, our other partners, and the community at large. They’re our go-to for trending information, a hotbed for ideas, event organization tips, business resources, and technical media questions. As a conduit between information seekers and providers, they attract, grow, enhance, and connect businesses and area organizations within the town of Ticonderoga and far beyond. For all of this and more, TACC is an invaluable community member, and partner for PRIDE. We feel that TACC’s efforts truly help make Ticonderoga a vibrant place for everyone that lives, works, or visits here,” shared Elisha Bartlett, Executive Director – PRIDE of Ticonderoga.
In addition, the Chamber continues to work closely with all of their partners including those mentioned to provide an array of services, programs, marketing, trainings and workshops throughout the year. Details on upcoming workshops and webinars will continue to be announced via TACC communications, emails, and social media.
“The Ticonderoga Area Chamber under Matt Courtright’s leadership is one of our strongest and most valuable partners across the entire North Country. Especially during this pandemic and the unprecedented challenges of 2020, TACC has been enormously collaborative, focused, flexible and creative in helping our North Country business community through its continuing challenges. The North Country Chamber is proud to be partnered with the Ticonderoga Area Chamber and, together, we know great things lie ahead for our region. Onward and upward!” Garry Douglas – President and CEO – North Country Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, to make an appointment with the TACC or to connect with one of their partner agencies visit www.ticonderogany.com (click on their logos on the homepage), email mcourtright@ticonderogany.com or call 518-585-6619.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce – The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is a non-profit organization that serves, markets, and promotes the Ticonderoga area including, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Hague, Moriah, and Putnam, NY. The mission of the TACC is to initiate and provide programs, services, and leadership which will enhance a cooperative business community and create a vibrant economy, making the Ticonderoga Area an exceptional place to live, work, and visit. For more information on the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce or the Ticonderoga Area please visit www.ticonderogany.com, “like” the Chamber on facebook, “follow” TiconderogaADK on twitter, and TiconderogaNY on Instagram.