January 16, 2026

		

Jorge Mercado

Jorge Mercado is a staff writer with the Business Times. His beats include technology, agriculture, cannabis, energy and the environment, and higher education.


| Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

Mission Produce buying Calavo for $430M

Agribusiness, Latest news, Top Stories, Top Story, Tri-County Public Companies, Ventura County

Two publicly traded Ventura County agribusinesses will be combining operations after Oxnard-based Mission Produce announced it is purchasing Santa Paula-based Calavo Growers in a cash-and-stock transaction worth $430 million. Under the terms of the deal announced Jan. 14, Mission agreed to pay Calavo stockholders $27 per share, comprised of $14.85 in cash and 0.9790 shares Read More →

| Monday, January 12th, 2026

Dream work: Cal Poly universities’ Rose Parade float wins Sweepstakes Award

Higher Education, Latest news, left, San Luis Obispo County, Subscriber content

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| Friday, January 9th, 2026

Venture capital, M&A markets will do or die with AI

Central Coast, Economy, Latest news, Subscriber content, Tri-County Economy

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| Friday, January 9th, 2026

MB&T, Baker Hill partnership helps small businesses

Banking & Finance, Economy, Latest news, Santa Barbara County, Small Business, Subscriber content

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| Friday, January 9th, 2026

Ever the optimist: Former OpenAI exec believes AI gains for entrepreneurs

Latest news, Santa Barbara County, Subscriber content, Technology, Top Stories, Top Story

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| Friday, January 9th, 2026

CRE: Historic Ventura County land sale nets $27M

Central Coast, Columns, Latest news, Real Estate, Subscriber content

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| Friday, January 9th, 2026

Amgen snaps up Dark Blue for $840M

East Ventura County, Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, middle, Subscriber content, Technology, Tri-County Public Companies

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