Industries all across the nation were forced to make wholesale changes as to how they went about their day-to-day duties due to COVID-19, and it understandably had a significant financial impact that some were simply unable to overcome.

However, many Gunnedah businesses found a way to push through the worst of the lockdown, and GCCI president Juliana McArthur said their flexibility and creativity was something to behold.

"It was a matter of survival, so for example hospitality and accommodations businesses had to find a way of reaching out to people to generate some cash flow, and that was done through online ordering for example," she said.

"I think the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 has been devastating for our economy and our community, however it's shown us how resilient we are as business owners."

Like many others, Ms McArthur expects - or at very least hopes - 2021 will be a bounce back year, and GCCI will be actively seeking to play a role in that recovery for their members and the broader community.

They are beginning to do that this holiday season, with their Christmas Fair involving a competition that encourages people to shop locally.

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People that spend $20 or more at a local participating business will then be able to submit an entry form, which could see them win weekly prizes or, if they're lucky, even a brand new car.

In total, 63 of GCCI's members are taking part in the competition, with plenty of them contributing to the donations to the prize pool.

It has been a success too, with the program delivering over $2 million to the local economy.

Another thing that has boosted the funds of people in the region is a bumper harvest, with large yields, good quality crops and high commodity prices providing one of the best winter seasons seen in years.

Given it has come after several years of drought, Ms McArthur said it was a massive relief for all the farmers in the Namoi Valley - including herself.

"We got rain in February and March, and farmers a gamblers so after three years of drought they took an enormous gamble to sow a winter crop and in order to do that they had to get spending," she said.

"So there was a level spending in town that helped businesses and at least got them some cash flow and that meant perhaps they were then able to withstand the impacts of COVID-19 a bit better."

She expects it may again be farmers who inject a lot of money into the economy in times to come, with confidence in farming quite high for their summer crops, but said Gunnedah is in quite a good position in terms of the fact they have revenue streams from several different industries.