More than £13.6m has already been committed to fund over 50 projects as part of a Swansea Council scheme to help businesses and communities recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Projects funded by the council’s economic recovery fund include a free bus scheme to help local shopping, the provision of free outside public space use for businesses to expand, and the installation of extra Christmas lights in the city centre over the festive period.
The economic recovery fund has also enabled free use of sports pitches for many football, cricket and bowls clubs in Swansea.
Grants of up to £1,000 are being made available to support start-up businesses, with grants of up to £10,000 being provided to help businesses throughout the city upgrade the look of their properties.
Subject to cabinet approval, the council is also intending to increase its economic recovery fund from £20m to £25m for the potential benefit of even more businesses and communities.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The commitment of over £13.6m so far to more than 50 projects as part of our economic recovery fund shows how seriously we’re taking our commitment to support our businesses and communities with their recovery from the pandemic.
“The strength of community spirit – with local businesses at their core – has been astounding throughout the Covid crisis, so they wholeheartedly deserve as much support as possible as we look to protect existing jobs, create new employment and ensure Swansea is in as strong a place as possible to quickly bounce back from the pandemic’s impact.
“This is why we also intend adding an extra £5m to our economic recovery fund to ensure even more businesses and communities can benefit.
“This extra funding follows on from £150m worth of support that’s been already provided to businesses since the onset of Covid.”
Council officers are now working through applications from all businesses which have applied for grants to upgrade the appearance of their properties.
Other council steps aimed at supporting businesses include on-going work taking place with the Welsh Government via the Transforming Towns scheme, as well as a shop local website.
The shop local website lists details of local businesses in communities including Clydach, Gorseinon, Gowerton, Killay, Morriston, Mumbles, Pontarddulais, Sketty and Uplands.
