Small businesses have been awarded more than £75,000 by the Government.
The cash, from the Single Regeneration Budget, will be channelled to them through the Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership.
A manager will be employed to help small firms take advantage of regeneration opportunities.
More than 70 per cent of all businesses in the city employ fewer than five people yet many of them do not know about regeneration.
Tony Mernagh, of the City Centre Business Forum, said private sector finance was also available for the project from NatWest bank.
The project would help small business associations become more proactive and respond to proposals such as those in the city council's Local Plan.
Mr Mernagh said: "In this way it is hoped that the ideas and energy of the small business community will be harnessed for the good of the city."
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