Economy requires us to learn new tricks
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I don’t know where that saying started, but we’ve all just been handed a new assignment: learn the trick of surviving on less. Actually it’s a range of new tricks — from cutting back on a few frills to a complete overhaul of the family or business Read More →
California
Now is the time to blow up California’s government and start over again. That’s the general idea behind the proposed constitutional convention, an idea making its way up and down the political food chain in the Golden State. Given the government gridlock that’s led the state to the brink of insolvency — and perhaps over Read More →
Region
Now that the realities of recession have hit hard, it’s time for Santa Barbara County to launch a targeted and effective economic development initiative. All around us are examples of people doing a good job with limited resources. The Economic Vitality Corp. in San Luis Obispo, the EDA activities that are taking place under the Read More →
AeroVironment gets contract
AeroVironment announced Feb. 9 that it has received an order from the U.S. Army valued at $16.8 million for the production of 50 new Raven unmanned aircraft systems equipped with the firm’s digital data link, or DDL. The company, which is based in Monrovia, has significant production operations in Simi Valley. The introduction of AeroVironment’s Read More →
Lompoc wind farm approved
Santa Barbara County supervisors on Feb. 10 approved the county’s first wind farm project, which could provide enough electricity to serve up to 50,000 homes. Supervisors said the benefits of constructing the wind farm in Lompoc outweigh the environmental impacts. Building could begin by the end of the year with clean energy production starting next Read More →
101 project in limbo
between Milpas and Hot Springs exits in Santa Barbara will continue as scheduled but that could change soon, the California Department of Finance announced Feb. 6. Despite budget troubles, which have suspended many infrastructure projects throughout the state, the department lifted the suspension order for projects where a local funding match may provide temporary funding Read More →
Haas Automation lays off 200 workers amid wave of Ventura County job cuts
Oxnard-based Haas Automation has told 200 workers they will be laid off, the company’s second round of cuts this year. The reduction, announced Feb. 11, comes after a slew of other Ventura County firms shed jobs. SolarWorld Industries, Power-One, Bank of America and Amgen have all announced plans to cut positions. Haas Automation makes machine Read More →
