MORE than £45 million will be injected into the county’s economy to aid the recovery from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

East Sussex County Council has set out plans for how investment will be used to support people and businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

The East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan has been published by Team East Sussex – a partnership between business, local authority, social enterprise and education representatives.

Team East Sussex aim to maximise the use of funding secured from central government and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Graham Peters, chairman of Team East Sussex, said: “The coronavirus crisis and the restrictions of the past few months have left businesses across the county facing unprecedented challenges.

“The East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan rightly focuses on helping businesses and communities reset, recover and overcome these challenges.

“It also looks forward, building sustainable and inclusive prosperity, accessing new opportunities for our county while remaining responsive to a rapidly changing world.”

The initial £45 million identified in the plan includes money that has already been committed for projects across the county.

These include the development of the Observer Building in Hastings, Barnhorn Green commercial and medical centre in Bexhill, a new maritime and sustainable technology hub and the Plumpton Business and Skills Centre in Lewes, a new fishing quay at Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne and the world’s first solar farm in Wealden powering the railways.

Skills and further education providers have also allocated money towards retraining, skills and employability programmes to support those who have lost their jobs during the crisis.

The document identifies six missions to support economic growth across the county, post Covid-19.

These include encouraging people to buy local goods and use local services, building skills and creating jobs, supporting the recovery of the leisure, tourism, hospitality and cultural sector, adapting and improving public spaces, supporting the drive towards a low-carbon and greener transport economy and capitalising on digital connectivity.

Cllr Keith Glazier said: “My thanks go to all the partners from the public and private sector who are committed to helping businesses recover and have worked hard to create a plan that will help maximise funding and opportunities to help the East Sussex economy thrive.

“The success of the East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan will require the ongoing involvement of a wide range of partners who, in bringing together their experience, expertise and knowledge, have developed and can drive the delivery of the six missions.”

As well as a focus on skills and employment, the plan also supports initiatives for health and wellbeing and climate change.

To find out more, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk.