The past 12-months have been tough for the Milton Ulladulla business sector.
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Businesses, like many other organisations, had to face bushfires, floods and then a global pandemic [COVID-19].
However, with assistance from Milton Ulladulla Business Chamber local businesses have done well to overcome these challenges.
Chamber president, Mary-Jean Lewis, says the first signs of recovery started back in October.
"Yes ever since COVID began it was certainly tough given we are predominantly retail and tourism," the chamber president said.
"However, then I would say since October onwards things have been a lot different - it has not been as tough as it was after the initial COVID scare."
"People are getting around and spending a lot more time down here.
"Retail has just been crazy, tourism is back better than ever, hotels are full and I think things, by and large, are in full swing."
She agreed that when COVID first raised its ugly head that businesses were worried.
"The business community at first were feeling very uncertain and concerned," she said.
"As a business owner myself [Ardent Lawyers Solicitors and Conveyancers] my worries were not only for myself but for my staff, which was the same message I was receiving from most business owners I spoke to.
"They [business owners] were worried about keeping their staff on and making sure they could pay their bills.
"A lot of shops, predominantly cafes, either closed or had to really change their method of operating."
The chamber president added tourism "pretty much" shutdown during the early stages of the pandemic.
Luckily the Federal Government came forward with some assistance packages.
"People were heavily reliant on Jobkeeper just to stay afloat - that is if they did stay afloat," she said.
She said the government support packages were vital to an area that is reliant on tourism.
"We rely on those busy times. We rely on those Easter and Christmas trades and the school holiday trades. That is what keeps a lot of our small businesses afloat," she said.
The chamber president said the assistance packages kept businesses going and allowed them to "hold out".
"They may have been suffering losses but were able to prevent themselves from closing down completely," she said to illustrate the support packages' importance.
Mary-Jean added a business like hers was not hit as hard as the other sectors but said things did quieten down.
The chamber of commerce also came forward to lend whatever assistance it could.
Online networking/marketing Zoom meetings were held, regular updates on the COVID situation were provided to members and information on all the grants that were being available were distributed.
"We were keeping people regularly up to date," she said.
"We were providing support and basically being available by phone if anyone had any questions or needed assistance."
Feedback from the chamber's membership base was that they appreciated the support. Now we focus on the good times to come.
"I hear that tourism is ridiculous and that is evident by just going down the main street," she said.
"People are busy, places are busy, cafes are stocked, restaurants are booked, hotels fully booked and Airbnbs are just going crazy.
"People in businesses are just screaming out for employees in the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors."
The Shoalhaven being featured in some recent tourism magazines has also helped the recovery, according to the chamber president.
"For those many reasons we are doing pretty well and we are fortunate for that reason," she said.
She said the property market was also booming, which then creates a positive flow-on effect for other areas.
In general, Mary-Jean said there was a good happy vibe in the community, but she added some businesses were still picking up from COVID.
"Some businesses suffered losses and there were businesses that completely shutdown for a long time," the chamber president said.
Mary-Jean said the beauty industry was one sector that was hit hard by COVID.
'However, they are picking up and are able to be back in full action now," she added.
"Those types of businesses were shut for two to three months.
"We are out of the worst of it - fingers crossed," she said.
"With no further waves and the vaccination roll out, I think the Shoalhaven will continue to do well for some time."
She said there were plenty of opportunities for networking events and hopes to see more people linking with the chamber.
Go to www.muchamber.com.au to see how to become a member.