People in Radstock and Westfield will soon be asked how they would like to see £1 million of Big Lottery cash spent in their community.
Money has been made available to consult with residents about the type projects and initiatives that could benefit from a share of the pot of money, which could start being spent as soon as the spring.
The area was awarded the cash in August 2010, when the communities became one of 50 areas across the country to receive funding from the lottery's Big Local fund.
The idea is that local people will become part of a partnership that will work together to decide what their area needs or what can be done to improve it.
Chairman of the steering group, councillor Robin Moss (Lab, Westfield), said an extra £20,000 had just been made available.
He said residents should expect to be asked how they think it should be spent within the next few months.
He said: "We want to make sure the money is spent on projects that have a lasting effect on the lives of people who live in Radstock and Westfield.
"We will soon have meetings, probably at Prattens Sports and Social Club, where people will get the opportunity to have their say."
Social housing landlord Curo has been appointed as the organisation which will manage the next stage of consultation and will find out how the funding and support available from Big Local could be used and invested to make Radstock and Westfield better places in which to live and work.
Julie Evans, director of neighbourhoods at Curo, said: "Big Local is an exciting opportunity for local people to make decisions about how to make Radstock and Westfield a better place to live.
"We are delighted to be working on the programme and hope as many people as possible will get involved in creating a community profile and visions for the future of the area."
Last week Mr Moss and Esther Parker from the steering group attended a national conference in London held to find out more about how Big Local lottery money is being spent in areas across the country including Walthamstow in London, Leicester and Knowle in Bristol.
