Around £70m of unspent Commonwealth Games funding is to be used to develop the West Midlands economy and boost its trade and tourism sectors.
The West Midlands Combined Authority said the Government was providing the money to help enhance the positive legacy of the Games across the region.
The authority has agreed to allocate £39m to bolster the economy, trade and tourism and support initiatives set out in the region’s recently launched economic blueprint Plan for Growth.
Another £20.8m will be used to help tackle inequalities in the region’s more deprived communities including encouraging participation in sports and physical activity.
Just over £4m will be used to support the region’s culture and heritage sector and programmes to improve environmental sustainability and people’s wellbeing will also get £4m.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, led the discussions between council leaders and the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to secure the agreement.
He said: ‘This news is not only a real vote of confidence in the ability of local leadership to deliver but also means we have tens of millions of pounds to spend on improving the lives of people right across our region and ensuring the Games leave a lasting legacy in the months and years ahead.’
