Business associations in Stawell and Ararat expect 2016 to be a year of growth as industries expand and major projects bring investment to the areas.

However consecutive poor harvests have caused a trade downturn in some areas and hurt business confidence.

StawellBiz president and Waack's Bakery owner Chris Waack said though things were tough in the agricultural sector, the outlook for the town was positive.

“The ag sector is down a bit and our mine has been through a rough patch as well,” he said.

“But we’ve got a good outlook with the underground physics laboratory being established here and other things that will create jobs in the not too distant future. I think Stawell is well placed for the next few years.”

Mr Waack said Halls Gap had a positive 2015 overall, which benefited Stawell.

“We get the spin-off with tourists coming to the area,” he said.

“It has been challenging in business in the past few years, but we've got to work towards the future and keep trying to improve our businesses and the town.

“We’ve had a few new businesses open up in our main street, which is great.

“One thing StawellBiz wants to do is look at the mix of retail in the main street and compare that with what similar-sized towns in other regions have, to see where we might be missing opportunities.

“I think Stawell is on the verge of really starting to grow.”

Horsham Plaza centre manager Allison Roberts said sales at the centre in December were solid, though door traffic was down.

“We got good sales, but farmer confidence was down after a poor season and lack of rain and that affects things,” she said.

“Overall the plaza is in a good position. We had our last vacancy filled on December 15 with Noni B.

“That is a national trader, so that’s a strength for us. The next 12 months is dependant on rain and the season, which very much affects us.

“Online sales has an effect as well. Even with our national stores, some people will still buy online.

“Our preference is that they come in-store and buy here to support local staff and wages, because it's their brothers and sisters and cousins who are working in our shops.”

Business Horsham chairman Brian Watts said businesses had mixed feelings about the six months ahead. 

Some feel the first half of this year will be tougher than the past six months, while others are expecting or hoping for a better year this year than last.

The group runs a business confidence survey every six months. The latest survey has been sent to Business Horsham members.

“I think we are feeling the effects of a second dry year in a row. Things are tougher in the second year than the first,” Mr Watts said.

“That is coming through in business sentiments – it wasn’t as evident a year ago.

“Businesses have reported things in the past six months were unchanged or similar to the six months prior.

”But there has been a Christmas in there, and things are often more buoyant in that festive period.”

Business Horsham executive administrator Wendy Mitchell said businesses needed to be innovative.

​“If businesses were down in 2015, and they are expecting the same outcome for 2016, there is a challenge to be innovative in finding ways to seek new business,” she said. 

“If you are in business and are not really investing in new ways to improve your sales, you need to kick into gear early on.  

“There are support networks out there and no one should be ashamed to ask for assistance. Find those that can assist to drive you and your business into a better space.”

Ararat Regional Business Association president Graeme Foster said 2015 was a positive year overall for businesses, with some challenges along the way.

“The conditions we’ve had have made it hard for farming communities and that affects all business, particularly retail,” he said.

“The recent Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards in Ararat showcased the outstanding offerings we have in all sectors across the region.

“We have a pretty optimistic outlook for our area.

“We have the development of the wind farm here, and the prison is coming up to completion and new staff will be on board there.

“The manufacturing industry is expanding their offerings. Gason and AME Systems are large employers for our town and progressive with how they do business.

“We have had good support from our council in the past year and it’s important that is maintained.

“It is important businesses take a collaborative approach and focus on customer service as well as products.”