A £170,000 plan to boost business and create jobs in West Sussex has been unveiled.

County councillors said a new economic strategy for the next 12 months would

target coastal towns.

Experts claim areas such as Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor have not enjoyed the same sort of business boom as Crawley and Gatwick.

A strategy report highlights pockets of deprivation and a lack of quality employment opportunities.

It states: "The major local firms along the coast are

of particular significance

to the local economy. Support is necessary to assist

and maintain the competitiveness of the coastal economy."

Measures to tackle skills shortages and pinpoint sites for modern business premises will also be launched.

The budget includes £25,000 for a property database and advice and information for companies wanting to move to West Sussex.

But traditional money-

earners such as tourism are also included, and £12,500 has been earmarked to promote the county to visitors and expand a tourism website.

County council planning chief John Kilford said the aim of the strategy was to promote growth without harming the county's rural appeal.

He said: "Achieving this objective is a difficult balancing act, but it is recognised that continuing economic prosperity is crucial to maintaining the quality of the environment.

"The cornerstone of the action plan is to work with other agencies to ensure that, where possible, economic support activities are co-ordinated to achieve common goals."

Before the plan is approved, it will be sent out to businesses throughout West Sussex for consultation.

One of the biggest items of spending proposed is £40,000 to support Business Link Sussex, which gives training and advice to businesses.

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