UC president calls for reinvestment in universities
UncategorizedMark Yudof, president of the University of California system, sharply criticized state leaders Aug. 6 for what he called a 20-year pattern of cutting investment in the state’s human capital. Yudof spoke before a crowd of more than 300 business leaders at the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Spirit of Small Business Awards luncheon at Fess Read More →
White paper: The Green Coast Innovation Zone
UncategorizedLast spring, the Business Times called on regional leaders to reinvent the tri-county economy using new energy technology, energy efficiency and greener building practices as a springboard to growth. We called the initiative the Green Coast and I’m pleased to report that a diverse working group has been formed under the title of the Green Read More →
Dalidio project wins Measure J victory
UncategorizedRancher-developer Ernie Dalidio has won a critical court victory in his drive to develop the San Luis Obispo Marketplace on a 131-acre site along Highway 101. Reversing a lower court decision, California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals on Aug. 4 reinstated the results of Measure J, a ballot measure that won approval of county voters Read More →
Kohl's to open new store and bring 120 jobs to SLO
UncategorizedKohl’s Department Stores announced on Monday that it will bring approximately 120 new jobs to San Luis Obispo when it opens a store there in September. Kohl’s is opening 30 new stores in California this fall, increasing the number of Kohl’s stores in the state to 121 and hiring an expected 4,200 new employees throughout Read More →
Budget squeezes recyclers
UncategorizedThe deep cuts that resolved California’s budget crisis have come to your recycling bin. On July 1, the state pulled back on processing fees that it pays to recyclers and stopped some incentive programs altogether. Recyclers say the move is eating into their revenue at a time when the prices they get for recycled materials Read More →
Commercial vacancies on rise, but still below U.S. average
ColumnsIn its latest quarter report, Hayes Commercial Group said the overall vacancy rate now exceeds 5 percent in South County. That number stacks up favorably when compared to national rates, but is up 25 percent since the beginning of the year. The report showed that the number of lease transactions is up on an annualized Read More →
SLO event ordinance a blow to business
OpinionA prime example of job-killing regulation is coming to light in San Luis Obispo County. That’s because a group of environmentalists and “buy local” have joined forces to advocate for a countywide ordinance that would ban most private, for-profit activity on agricultural land. In other words, no more weddings, retirement parties, fundraisers, corporate celebrations or Read More →
