Skills and support focus for town's economic fund

A new £3m fund to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, improve the appearance of shops and boost training opportunities has been approved in a South Yorkshire town.

Rotherham Council's Local Growth Fund allocation also included giving £60,000 to support the town's new market and its traders amid ongoing redevelopment work.

Business start-up support, shop unit grants and skills training were included in plans, which were approved by the authority earlier.

Council leader Chris Read said he hoped "more residents will take advantage of these schemes and opportunities so that we can create an economy that works for, and includes, everyone".

He said: "We want our local economy to thrive which is why we're proposing using funding from our allocation of the Local Growth Fund to do just that.

"Previous programmes and schemes have had a huge impact on those who have accessed that support."

The Local Growth Fund is part of a £5bn government initiative designed to increase regional economic growth, regeneration and infrastructure development.

A council initiative to help eligible businesses improve the look and feel of their stores will receive more than £650,000.

Nearly £950,000 has been allocated for helping people start up new businesses or reduce the carbon footprint of their firm.

More than £440,000 was set aside to continue three employment training schemes.

During the last year, these schemes helped almost 200 residents gain new skills and a further seven find permanent work, according to the council.

A further £300,000 was allocated to young people's skills development, including an alumni programme for Children's Capital of Culture trainees.

Under the plans, civic and cultural festivals will also receive funding, with just under £425,000 put towards events like the upcoming St George's Day celebration in Clifton Park.

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