Muriel Chalifoux, chair of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, says the organization will spend the next year focusing on a diversified economy and building up small businesses.

The chamber will also keep an eye on what's happening in the rest of the country for the territory's capital city, she said Tuesday.

"There are a lot of small businesses up here that are susceptible to pendulums swings in consumer confidence, swings in government spending," Chalifoux said in an interview following the chamber's annual general meeting at The Old Fire Hall.

"So clearly, we have to monitor that ... so we can continue to grow that strong base and hopefully we'll continue to do well."

Over the course of the more than two-hour meeting, the 120 chamber members were painted a rosy picture of the territory's economy and what's in store for the future.

Bank of Canada representative Farid Novin brought forward the economic forecast for the coming year. As well, local businesses and groups filled in members on their plans to help the economy, from Northwestel Inc.'s expanded Internet service to Yukon College's ongoing research initiatives.

The territory has weathered the global recession well, both Chalifoux and Novin pointed out.

They cited the government funds received as well as the continuance of mining operations in some cases among the reasons the territory's economy hasn't fallen like other areas.

"You have a very safe base for your economy," Novin said.

In fact, he said, it could be a good thing the economy slowed down for the territory.

"Things were really getting out of hand," he said, pointing to the labour shortage and high prices that precipitated the economic slowdown.

Over the next few years, the territory will see some growth at a sustainable level, he said, between displaying graphs of the economic situation on both the global and local levels.

Also working in the Yukon's favour is the spirit of many business owners in town.

"I'm forever amazed by the optimism, the entrepreneurial spirit," Chalifoux said.

"No one ever got down on what was happening. We all dug in our heels and said, 'We're going to weather this. What can we do? Let's work together.'

"We have a lot of businesses looking for ways to innovate and work together collaboratively to weather the storm."

Among the businesses and management recognized this year for their efforts were:

• Local Tim Hortons owner Dean Terry, who received the chamber's Volunteer of the Year Award for his volunteer efforts with the organization in initiatives ranging from the foreign labour program to getting those on social assistance back into the work force;

• Riverside Grocery owner Leona Commons, who received the Best Service Award for customer satisfaction. As it was pointed out by Northwestel's Curtis Shaw, who presented the award, at Riverside almost anything a

customer is looking for can be found on the shelves and close to anytime of day;

• Northwestel, which won the Giving Back to the Community Award for its sponsorship and support of community organization and events.

In accepting the award, Northwestel spokeswoman Anne Kennedy noted the company's belief in giving back to the community through sponsorship, goods and services and through supporting the involvement of its employees in community organizations; and

• Wendy Taylor, who is among the partners in Whitehorse Motors and the Edgewater Hotel, won the Business Person of the Year award, which recognizes success and an ongoing contribution to Whitehorse.

In receiving her award, Taylor recognized those who made a difference in her career, from officials with the Hougen Group to "a few bankers in the room" she wouldn't be there without.

As the chamber heads into its 2009/2010 year, serving on its executive with Chalifoux will be first vice-chair Kyle Marchuk, second vice-chair Richard Runyon, secretary Gerrard Fleming, and treasurer Adam

Schellenberg, along with board members Josh Clark, Lucille Kubbernus, Dan Charlebois, Michael Pealow, Murray Arsenault, Shelly Hedden and Tammy Affleck.