GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council and Funding Circle have announced the launch of a new scheme to stimulate local economic growth and employment.
As part of the partnership, the council will lend £100,000 to businesses in Gloucestershire using Funding Circle, the UK's largest online marketplace where people directly lend to small businesses.
GCC will join thousands of people across the country already lending their money to small and medium-sized businesses.
Council leader Mark Hawthorne said: This scheme is just one of the many ways in which the council is looking to stimulate growth in the Gloucestershire economy.
"It's an opportunity for us to lend money directly to the local businesses that need it most and to inspire others to do the same.
James Meekings, co-founder of Funding Circle, said: This innovative partnership will see council funds injected into the heart of the business community in Gloucestershire, helping to drive growth and create jobs at an important time. We hope that other councils across the UK will be inspired to use initiatives like this and follow Gloucestershire's example.