The biggest investor in the area is PG Bison who own in excess of 80 000 hectares of forestry property in Maclear/Elliot. A billion rand chipboard plant has been commissioned to utilize the timber.

Businesses currently operating in Maclear include the following: B&B (x10), Filling Stations (x2), Chemist (x2), Coffee Shop/Restaurant (x3), Liquor Stores (x4), Supermarkets (x2), Wholesalers (x2), Butcheries (x2), Hardware Stores (x6), Motor Spares (x3), Furniture Stores (x3), Accredited Motor repair workshops (x3).

Government Departments Present: Dept of Labour, Dept of Health & Magistrate Court.

Professional practices: Medical Doctors- Maclear 3, Ugie 1; Dentists 1, Lawyers 1; Accountants 2.

Health services include a Provincial Hospital and 2 Clinics

The town has a combined primary and secondary dual medium (Afrikaans and English) school as well as separate primary and secondary schools in Sonwabile.