In our thoughts
OpinionWe’ll take a few sentences to recognize Ugo Melchiori, founder of Melchiori Construction Co., and Roger Heroux, the retired head of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Just before press time, we learned that Melchiori, patriarch of a construction company that’s been highly successful on the South Coast, passed away after a long illness. Read More →
Watkins: state recession not over until end of 2010
UncategorizedThe U.S. economy will experiences slow growth throughout most of 2010 but California won’t emerge from recession until the very end of the year. That’s the view of California Lutheran University economist Bill Watkins, who presented his first state and national forecast for 2010 at a breakfast event on campus on Dec. 16. The Business Read More →
Area leads the way in sustainable ag
OpinionAgriculture still dominates much of the landscape across the Tri-Counties. And thanks to a new wave of interest in creating a “sustainable” economy, agriculture is being reinvented for the 21st Century. Gone in large part are the pesticide-heavy, water-guzzling practices of the past. Instead, farmers across the region are focusing on efficiency, environmentally sound practices Read More →
Santa Barbara sees shifts, new business on the real estate front
ColumnsThere have been a few notable shifts in the Santa Barbara commercial real estate landscape over the past few weeks. First up, we have a new venture from real estate executive Jim Slaught. His new company, Slaught Real Estate Group, focuses on commercial real estate development, investment, management and brokerage projects. Slaught, a former vice Read More →
Recognizing the gift of life
OpinionThe gift of life is the greatest gift of all. That’s why we’ll take a few words to appreciate the extraordinary personal commitment of Randy Weiss, vice president of community relations at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Weiss, as has been reported, donated a kidney to help out Katherine Pinedo, a fellow bank employee whose Read More →
Gear up for the launch of our 10th year
ColumnsI’m very proud to announce that 2010 will mark the 10th anniversary year for the Pacific Coast Business Times. Since March 17, 2000, we’ve been chronicling the fortunes of business and the overall economy in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Along the way we’ve covered major stories about innovation and financial meltdowns Read More →