These towns are not afraid of big chances
ColumnsThrow deep. That’s not always the best economic development strategy. But in the case of North Santa Barbara County, there are two large-scale projects in the very earliest of stages that could become the job-generating engines for the next economic cycle in the Tri-Counties. Before you put down your newspaper and wonder out loud what Read More →
Ventura chamber CEO leaving Nov. 30
UncategorizedVentura Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Zoe Taylor is stepping down. Taylor, who led the business group for more than 13 years, is in the final stages of starting her own consulting agency. She’ll help businesses connect to government agencies. “I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while,” Taylor told the Read More →
Deals bolster balance sheets at two area banks
UncategorizedOne bank went local, and one bank got smaller but sturdier. Two deals recently closed that change the tri-county banking landscape. As of Nov. 11, the Bank of Santa Barbara will answer to group of Santa Barbara investors rather than a Michigan-based parent firm. As of Nov. 6, the parent of Solvang-based Los Padres Bank, Read More →
Diani builds on legacy
UncategorizedIn 1949, a World War II vet named A.J. Diani started a small grading and paving business in his hometown of Santa Maria. The son of Swiss immigrants, he put an emphasis on family relations and customer satisfaction, added some elbow grease and watched his company grow. Sixty years later, A.J. Diani Construction is a Read More →