Businesses can apply for a share of the £600,000 fund, which is designed to help support the local economy and create jobs by offering grants of up to £25,000 to small and medium sized local businesses.

To qualify for a grant, applicants must be located in West Sussex and, if applicable, be paying business rates there. Alternatively they could be about to start up a company in, or be planning relocation to, West Sussex.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 15 September 2014.

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council said: “So far we have had a great response from local businesses keen to tap into the help and support available from the County Council, but we want to hear from more before the application deadline.

“A wide range of businesses from across the county have already applied to the fund, both established organisations and new initiatives looking to start up in West Sussex. However I’m sure there are many others out there who are looking for that extra boost to help them take the next step in their business.

“We know that local businesses need better access to finance and support in order to develop and grow. ‘Be the Business’ is designed to help address those issues and the more we can do to help create the conditions that allow businesses to prosper in the county, the better it is for everyone.”

Full details of how to apply to the fund are available at Be the Business.

A decision on which applications have been successful is expected in November.