Support For Southland Business, Chambers Focus

At any regular Southland Chamber of Commerce AGM, business achievements for the year would be the focus. However, there were two significant differences at this year’s meeting.

The first was the venue. Due to the alert 4 nationwide lockdown, the meeting was held via video conferencing, rather than at the Ascot Park Hotel. The second was on strategies for the future, rather than achievements of the previous 12 months.

No changes to the board with Neil being returned as president & directors, Shaun Drylie, of SBS Bank and Rod Sinclair, of Focus Technology Group were re-elected to the chamber board.

Southland Chamber of Commerce president Neil McAra was the first person to be confirmed as having COVID-19. As of yesterday (Thursday 2nd) there now 29 confirmed cases in the Clutha/Southland region. Neil believes that while the virus takes a considerable physical toll, the mental toll is also equally as challenging. He speaks from experience.

Neil thanked the wider business community for their support and urged them to support each other through what would be a challenging time for many. He also encouraged people to reach out to those around them who might be suffering.

Neil says the Chamber’s goal in the coming months was to focus on projects that could create potential new jobs. He believed they had the ability to limit economic damage in Southland through skilled people and strategies.