At the height of the COVID-19 crisis in July, when the NSW-Victoria border was closed, Cr Mack said 60 Albury-Wodonga businesses closed in the space of three weeks and more will face the same fate if they're not supported during the festive season.

The convenience of online shopping has become popular for many, particularly when the country was in lockdown, but Cr Mack would like to see that change.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"The eBays and Amazons of the world don't support our community. There's no sporting clubs sponsored by Facebook," he said.

"Right now we're on a really fine line, it's a real tipping point for businesses across our Albury-Wodonga region and I think we need to be really selfish about how we spend our money in that region.

"Not selfish for ourselves, but selfish for our community. That's the line I draw in the sand.

"If you're going to be selfish for yourself you're going to shop online.

"You need to be selfish for your community because if you don't invest in those shops, they won't be there any more."

Cr Mack referred to Albury-Wodonga as "one of the most charitable economies in Australia", but wants to see the region's small businesses become the beneficiaries.

"We always give to everything else, but for the next six weeks we need to give to our businesses and beyond," he said.

"They need to be sustained beyond the new year so they can come back stronger and have confidence their community are supporting them.

"I have genuine sympathy for charities and whatever the cause might be in our community, but right now the cause is our businesses.

"They're the ones employing our kids, supporting our grassroots sport, our arts and culture, supporting our community."

Ashlin Computer Services in Wodonga created the Support Local Shop Local platform to help businesses build an online presence and sell products online to the wider Border community, while Albury Council has started a Go Local First campaign.