Financial crisis inquiry underway in Bakersfield
The federal Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is meeting in Bakersfield for a Sept. 7 hearing that will focus on community banks and credit unions and the impact of the financial meltdown on California communities. A live feed of the hearing is available at www.fcic.gov. The FCIC’s vice chairman is Bill Thomas, a former congressman from Read More →
Dirt is flying again as building picks up in the Tri-Counties
After a year or more of struggling to find work, contractors are ready to dig in their shovels and let the dirt fly as construction projects large and small break ground throughout the Tri-Counties. Several notable projects are in the construction pipeline, and builders I spoke with said they’re finally starting to see new business Read More →
Taking stock of PCBC, one share at a time
Generally speaking, it’s not a great idea for a journalist to own stock in a company he or she covers. In fact, it’s entirely unethical. But there is one exception. Back before the SEC’s Regulation FD, Yahoo Finance, the Internet and instantaneous disclosure of everything to everybody, it was an established practice for a Read More →
Consolidation wave hits region
The information technology landscape is changing in the Tri-Counties, with two acquisitions in San Luis Obispo County and more possible in the future. The buys come as companies that have remained strong are looking for opportunities to grow and position themselves for when better times return. They’re also showing the pains and opportunities in what’s Read More →
Find the bag, follow the money: Tech veteran builds business on lost luggage
You’ve just stepped off an airplane in London. You’re tired and jetlagged, and your bag is nowhere to be found. Looks like you’ll be presenting to the head of European operations in the clothes you’ve spent 16 hours in. Santa Barbara technology veteran Cleveland Motley wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Motley is Read More →
UCSB’s two solar powers
The burning question in energy research is how to harness the power of the sun in a cost-effective way. Nobel laureate and UC Santa Barbara Professor Alan Heeger’s answer — plastic solar cells that can be printed cheaply like photographic film — has drawn interest and more than $100 million from investors. But other researchers Read More →
Region's companies make Inc. 5000
A number of regional companies were included on the 2010 Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine’s latest list of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Santa Barbara-based FastSpring was No. 41 on the list, and Xirrus in Thousand Oaks was No. 75. Carpinteria-based Lynda.com was No. 899 and Santa Barbara-based Jensen Audio Visual was No. 2845. Read More →
