Councillors are expected to back proposals to ask firms in two north-east towns to pay levies to create special business zones when they meet later this week.
There is already support in Peterhead and Inverurie for plans to create the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Now the local authority is offering to help move the project forward in both towns.
The idea is that local shops and firms pay an extra levy on top of their rates. The money is then spent on initiatives to improve the shopping areas and encourage people to visit the town centre.
In a report to the council’s infrastructure committee, the local authority’s strategic town centre executive, Audrey Michie, says: “An Aberdeenshire Towns Conference was held in Peterhead in March 2015, the theme being town centre collaboration.
“Businesses representing all six areas of Aberdeenshire were present, however Peterhead and Inverurie showed the most interest in developing a BID on that day.”
If councillors agree to offer staffing support to the business communities to help organise the projects, the next step will be a 14-month consultation to gather ideas for improvements to both towns.
A final business plan will then be drawn up, and about £65,000 will be levied from businesses in both towns.