A scheme to offer start-up businesses up to £500 in grant support is to continue.
Tata Steel subsidiary, UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) has announced it will continue to provide grants to eligible businesses over the next 12 months and has pledged £5,000.
The scheme, run by Caerphilly County Borough Council, has helped 12 businesses to launch in the last year.
Martin Palmer, of UKSE, said: “We are very pleased to be collaborating with Caerphilly in this way, helping new ventures, creating jobs and employment in the area, and playing a part in developing and changing the economy.
“Caerphilly has a strong enterprise culture and while all new businesses are important, it may be that some will grow into the big employers of the future.”
Over the past year, grants were provided to a range of businesses, in fields such as publishing, catering, architecture, events and decorating.
G Brown and N Prosser Funeral Directors, based in Oakdale, received help to refurbish their premises, while a new cafe was set up in Rhymney by former Maths teacher Lisa Price.
The funding is also helping a new eatery, Y Caban, to set up in Ystrad Mynach, with a children’s publishing house – Quack Quack Stories – launching in Blackwood.
Cllr Sean Morgan, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, said :“The business start-up programme is an important part of the support package we have for new enterprises in Caerphilly and in recent years has helped many businesses get off the ground. We are very grateful to UKSE for their continued support.”