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By Staff Report / Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 / Latest news / Comments Off on 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 →
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By Staff Report / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Latest news / Comments Off on 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 →
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By Pacific Coast Business Times Staff / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Opinion / Comments Off on Editorial: Systemic pension problems
News that the University of California system faces a $20 billion pension shortfall underscores one sobering truth to consider on Labor Day: Public sector jobs are not a free ride. Every job in the public sector is paid for with taxes, fees, tuition or other levies on private enterprise. Public-sector employees have a certain amount Read More →
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By Pacific Coast Business Times Staff / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Opinion / Comments Off on Editorial: Ventura Harbor comes to its parking senses
Score one point for small business. After just two months, Ventura Harbor authorities have at least temporarily abandoned their plan to charge drivers for parking during peak hours at the cozy retail and restaurant district that is the main tourist draw for the harbor. The decision to abandon ship on parking fees was officially blamed Read More →
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By Pacific Coast Business Times Staff / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Top Stories / Comments Off on Biofuel firm raises cool $3M
Camarillo-based Cool Planet Biofuels has raised another $3 million and leased 50,000 square feet of space to propel the development of a biofuel system it says could produce usable gasoline with a negative carbon footprint. Cool Planet plans to use its newly leased space to start building what it dubs its “biomass fractionators.” Where traditional Read More →
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By Pacific Coast Business Times Staff / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Top Stories / Comments Off on Head of the class: Lynda.com expands its Carpinteria empire
With the purchase of almost 60,000 square feet of space in Carpinteria, Lynda.com has become one of the biggest technology firms headquartered on the South Coast. The Internet-based firm calls itself “education as a service.” Users pay about $25 a month to access an online library of almost 900 software courses. Originally oriented toward creative Read More →
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By Marlize van Romburgh / Monday, September 6th, 2010 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Top Stories / Comments Off on Cal Oaks deal puts small banks in play
The $17.3 million proposed merger of Thousand Oaks-based California Oaks State Bank and a larger San Fernando Valley bank may hint at what the community banking world will look like in the aftermath of financial overhaul. Many smaller banks, especially those with less than $500 million in assets, are looking to their neighbors or larger Read More →
