Alert: Business Info Available Free

A couple of Ontario companies are trying to sell information on government loans and grants to Nova Scotia businesses that's available for free. Provincial and federal government offices have had a flurry of calls in the past few days from business operators wanting to know if the pitch is legitimate.

"There's nothing illegal about packaging this information and offering it for sale," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "But business owners should keep in mind that the information is available free of charge at the department's Business Service Centres and at Access Nova Scotia offices across the province."

The two Toronto-based companies are both charging close to $300 for their books, which list federal and provincial funding sources. The companies have been sending personally addressed solicitations to businesses all over Nova Scotia.

"The real experts on business assistance in Nova Scotia are the people working in our regional offices," said the minister. "Our business development officers know the funding programs inside-out. And they offer so much more. They help entrepreneurs and company owners with everything from business plans to export development."

Economic Development and Tourism Business Service Centres are in Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Antigonish, Truro, Amherst and New Glasgow, and at the Canada/Nova Scotia Business Centre in Halifax. The nearest office can be reached toll-free at 1-800-880-6661. There are Access Nova Scotia offices in Sydney, Truro, Bridgewater, Kentville, Yarmouth and the Halifax area.