Contrary to popular opinion government is assisting businesses succeed through the Community Futures Program.

General Manager John Lockhart says the program provides a lot more than money.

"We provide free services around helping them look at business plan development. We mentor them through the business plan development programs and help them take themselves forward. We will sit and work with them on brainstorming, marketing and promotional activities that they can do for their businesses."

The program assists both start up and existing businesses.

Lockhart says they'll do whatever it takes to help get your ducks in a row.

"If they're a start up business we'll help them build their business plan, we'll help them build their start up two-year cash flow projections based on rational and research data, and then we'll send them to their traditional banker."

He says even if a business is rejected by the bank they can still help with a loan to get your business off the ground.

He says banks look at your credit but they look at your business plan and your character.

Lockhart says they've even taken in start up businesses, literally.

"We provide offices on the second floor the ability for them to come in for up to a year on a month to month contract and we will provide free mentoring, counseling, business plan development and training while they're here to help them develop that business and come to a decision. Since 2008 we've turned out 29 store front businesses."

He says rents are below fair market value for the area and comes with all of the free help you need.

Among all of the free services provided they even cover counseling which he says is helpful with the stresses of owning a business and proved to be of significant value for businesses in the area post flood.

For more information on Community Futures visit: www.cfhighwood.net

Or call: 403-995-4151

E-mail: info@cfhighwood.net