Ticonderoga native and Trek superfan James Cawley has spent years recreating the sets and producing “fan films” extending the life of the Star Trek – the Original Series. With the help of Ti-Alliance over the past 5 years James and his team have expanded his passion into a viable business here in Ticonderoga that has become a significant contributor to the local economy. Look for an expansion of this “enterprise” in the coming months.
Star Trek Original Set Tour
In 2015 Ti-Alliance provided seed financing and management services to Cawley and his band of volunteers to create the first Trekonderoga Star Trek Convention. We provided additional suppor in 2016-2017 as Trekonderoga grew from attendance of a few hundred Trekkies to nearly a thousand. In 2019 Trek had its biggest year ever bringing in almost 1,400 visitors to Ticonderoga over a long weekend in August.
In 2017, the Alliance was able to provide mortgage financing to assist James Cawley in purchasing the Trek building (formerly a grocery store and a Dollar Store) and securing a permanent home for the Original Series Set Tours. The Set Tours are now open year round and continue to expand with special events (many featuring visits from William Shatner), fan film production, and other potential new Trek-based “enterprises”.
This project is an excellent example of how Ti-Alliance can utilize the tools of a Local Development Corporation to bring together local business owners and private investors to the benefit of both, and our local economy. Warp speed ahead!