HELP - ADO.NET connection in a Webservice

I am trying to create a webservice that access a SQL database. I receive the following error on the connection open method: "Referenced object has a value of 'Nothing'." I have attempted using both OleDB and SQL connection objects using hard coded DSN-less/DSN, Integrated Security/No Integrated Security + UID & PWD. I have changed the permissions on the database and in IIS. All to no avail.

I am sure that I am missing something simple but I can't figure it out. This is the connection declaration that I am using.

Dim oCN As New SqlConnection("Data Source=LOUSES2288; Initial Catalog=Development;Integrated Security=SSPI;")

oCN.Open()