Barnsley Council is to spend £25m over the next five years to boost the local economy.
The Barnsley Economic Plan is designed to create more jobs and businesses and develop a vibrant town centre that will in turn attract more visitors and investors.
Money will be spent refurbishing more of the town centre, a retail academy will be set up in an empty shop in the Arcade to help new business growth, there will be work to establish new industrial parks, more roads will be improved and there will be 100 new apprenticeships.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton says the £25m spending is vital - despite the tough economic climate with redundancies amongst town hall staff and millions of pounds being slashed from the budget.
He said: "The council tried simply hoping things would get better in the 1980s when facing massive cuts - nothing improved, things just got worse."
Part of the economic plan is the creation of more jobs and encouraging enterprise so a retail academy will be established in the Arcade, where up to eight new businesses can be accommodated to help them trade.
It will offer start-up businesses free retail space for 12 months and at the same time they will also get hands-on training in retail and business matters and one to-one business support.
The next major phase in improving the appearance of the Town Hall is also included in the plan. That will mean the refurbishment of Regent Street, Eldon Street, Regent Street South, Royal Street, Hanson Street, Eastgate and Market Hill.
Money will also be invested in helping set up key business parks near Goldthorpe, Grimethorpe and Claycliffe.
The five-year-plan will be implemented by a newly- established Barnsley Economic Partnership which will consist of members of the council, chamber of commerce and Barnsley business leaders.
