Constitutional convention would come with its risks
When it comes to cleaning up the fiscal mess that goes by the name “California,” there’s no shortage of proposed solutions. Two very different approaches were the subject of the Ventura County Economic Development Association’s 2009 Outlook Conference. Solution one is a series of targeted, single-purpose ballot initiatives aimed at ending the annual budget gridlock Read More →
OCC shows it lacks transparency
We were disappointed to learn that a representative of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency backed out of a recent speaking engagement at Coastal Business Finance, the Santa Maria-based leader in small business finance. Such a talk might have done a lot to help bankers and borrowers meet face-to-face with one of the Read More →
Plastics firm moves in on market
Paso Robles-based Lindamar Industries is angling to become one of the top suppliers of custom-made plastic bags to the California coast’s rich agriculture industry. With 70 employees and a 40,000-square-foot factory, the company cranks out nearly 1.5 million bags each day. Its core customers are agribusinesses from Salinas to Oxnard, and it supplies the kind Read More →
Tank Farm gets a makeover
By Sara Hamilton on October 18, 2009. San Luis Obispo residents may not recognize Tank Farm Road by this time next year. Chevron, owner of the vacant land on either side of the busy street, has extensive development plans for its former crude oil storage facility. The petroleum giant wants to restore the land, dedicate Read More →
Feds order Los Padres Bank to raise capital
The parent company of Solvang-based Los Padres Bank has been hit with a cease and desist order and faces a series of deadlines to raise capital. Harrington West Financial Group, which owns Los Padres and other banking operations, reported on Oct. 16 that it consented to the entry of a cease and desist order from Read More →
Dole expected to raise up to $575M in IPO
Westlake Village-based Dole Food Co. said Oct. 13 its initial public offering is expected to raise up to $575 million by selling nearly 36 million shares for between $13 and $15 each. With $7.6 billion in 2008 revenue, Dole is the largest private company in the Tri-Counties. The company was public until 2003, when owner Read More →
Breaking news: South Coast residents warned to prepare for heavy rain
Residents of Santa Barbara County’s South Coast are encouraged to prepare for heavy rain from Oct. 12 through Oct. 15 and officials have set up sandbag stations to allow area residents to protect their properties. Recent fires in the South Coast region of Santa Barbara County mean that heavy rains could result in flooding or Read More →
