Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tracy Macgregor said despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the local business community has largely persevered.
“It’s been a huge challenge, but I think everybody coming together to focus on the 'shop local' mentality, the 'support each other' mentality, has really made a difference, and I think we’ve seen a lot of businesses weathering a storm,” Macgregor said. “Everybody coming together as a community and remembering they need our support has really been uplifting. I see that as a community accomplishment, and the chamber is a part of that.”
Macgregor is departing after almost a decade with the Newmarket chamber, taking a position with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. She leaves the role Oct. 1, having helped guide businesses through 17 months of the pandemic.
Macgregor said she reflects positively about local efforts to get through the pandemic, despite the difficulties involved. The chamber helped steer businesses toward government support programs, advertised shop local campaigns, and facilitated rapid testing kits for workers this summer.
“It’s been amazing to be able to work with so many partnerships and collaborations in the community, and I think that’s one of the things that sets Newmarket apart,” she said. “That spirit of collaboration and that innovation. That way to look at things differently and tackle them together.
“I’m really impressed by the team at the chamber and how they all just came together,” she added. “Try and do what they could to ensure we were able to help businesses with the crisis, the continuity, and with the recovery.”
Many businesses were able to adapt, Macgregor said, particularly with e-commerce.
“It’s shining a light on how important the digital economy is,” she said.
The efforts have helped many businesses get through the toughest times and reopen, though many have struggled. Statistics Canada second-quarter business survey found 27 per cent of small businesses expected declining sales over the following three months, though most businesses had an optimistic outlook of the next 12 months.
However, there is uncertainty in the future, with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in the wake of the delta variant.
Macgregor said she hopes to keep helping businesses in Newmarket and elsewhere through her new position as the Ontario Chamber of Commerce vice-president of member services. She said she will support all chambers of commerce with their respective COVID-19 programming.
“Part of the role of the chamber is finding ways we’ll be able to keep the businesses open and avoid another shutdown. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, and we’ll do everything we can to support those businesses," she said.
But with businesses able to open and pent-up demand in the marketplace, Macgregor spoke positively about businesses recovering.
"We’re in a really good spot, and I think we’re in a really good position for recovery right now, but there’s just that unknown."
Macgregor said she is blessed to be part of this community. She added the actions of the Newmarket citizens during the pandemic have left an impression.
“I’ll also take away the incredible spirit of community, and determination that came out of it."
