A RAFT of funding to give the economy a shot in the arm has been unveiled by Gloucestershire County Council.

The authority this week revealed an extra £500,000 to boost the county's economy at the launch of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

GCC leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne confirmed the money will come from the New Homes Bonus scheme, a Government scheme to encourage growth in local areas, and will be injected into five new projects.

Theses include developing and delivering a coordinated skills programme bringing education closer to employment, further investment in superfast broadband investing in local regeneration projects and developing a Strategic Infrastructure Delivery Plan to outline what infrastructure the county will need with new developments.

Cllr Hawthorne said: “Building a strong, sustainable economy in Gloucestershire is one of the county council’s key aims.

“This one off £500,000 funding will be used to boost business and build on the excellent work we already have going on in the county.

“We are ahead of the game in many areas, but in this financial climate we need to focus our resources where they can make the most difference. These five projects will do just that.”

Representatives from 150 businesses across the county attended the LEP launch event, hosted by GFirst, the council’s economic arm.

The LEP will also focus on three schemes, courting more investment within the county, improving infrastructure and broadband and working with schools to close the skills gap Cllr Chas Fellows, cabinet member for environment and economy, who also attended the event, said: “The aim of the LEP is to provide a strong voice for Gloucestershire on business issues and to help support and encourage new business in the county.

“To do that we have to be clear where we’re heading and the three priority areas we have set out will help the LEP focus on the best outcomes for Gloucestershire.”