Funding worth over £3m has been earmarked to support a range of projects to help Rotherham residents boost their businesses.
It will also help to enhance their skills and training opportunities, and support their community-based activities.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet will agree how the borough’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will be used during the next year when they meet on 17 March.
Local businesses and entrepreneurs will benefit from an earmarked £1m to develop their businesses and boost their productivity.
Three core projects will help entrepreneurs develop and test their ideas, offer wide-ranging support, and help businesses transition to low carbon.
Along with these projects, a new ‘shop units grants’ programme will focus on improving shop units in the town centre and other local high streets. This will help to encourage new shops and services to come to local communities.
Proposals also support the delivery of community-based projects, such as the Open Arms one-stop-shop advice sessions which take place throughout the borough.
Dedicated funding is allocated to investing in the borough’s infrastructure, including the Rotherham Markets and Central Library Development, and multi-use game areas for the Football Foundation’s Playzones programme.
Rotherham Council’s Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is crucial for supporting our local businesses, enhancing skills, and enriching community life.
“It enables us to fund grass-root projects and activities that have a real impact in our communities and on our residents’ lives. We are committed to ensuring that these projects deliver real benefits for the people of Rotherham.”
Key projects and spending proposed include:
- Supporting Local Business:
- £945,256 for business support, including Launchpad, Productivity, and Low Carbon initiatives to help entrepreneurs and businesses to develop their business ideas and boost productivity.
- £390,000 for shop unit grants and market improvements.
- £137,667 to promote social value and increase opportunities for local businesses.
- People and Skills:
- £444,985 for a skills programme incorporating Ambition (support for children and young people), Core Skills (community-delivered basic skills training), and Advance (support for career progression).
- £275,000 for the Children’s Capital of Culture traineeship programme.
- Communities and Place:
- £200,000 for the Children’s Capital of Culture festival year.
- £255,000 for a wide-ranging programme of events and festivals.
- £359,549 for community-based support, including local advice sessions and engagement events.
- £86,000 for Active Lives, providing match funding for a multi-use games area.
