WEYMOUTH, N.S. - Ottawa has handed $900,000 in loans to two eco-friendly firms that support mink farms in southwestern Nova Scotia.

The money is coming from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Spec Environmental Solutions Inc. is getting a $419,000 loan to create a waste management system that will enable more efficient composting practices.

Southwest Eco-Energy Ltd. is getting a $500,000 loan to develop a system that will keep mink waste out of landfill sites while producing bio-fuel.

Both firms are based in Digby County.

Greg Kerr, the Tory MP for West Nova, issued a statement Friday saying the Nova Scotia government is investing $195,300 in Spec Environmental and $351,800 in Southwest Eco-Energy.