Nonprofits fight to save events
NonprofitsHearing wedding bells? Not if you’re on agricultural land in San Luis Obispo County. Some of the county’s economic sectors, such as the wedding industry and nonprofits, could receive a lethal blow as officials examine new legislation that would heavily regulate commercial events. The county is considering adopting an events ordinance that would nearly eliminate 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 →
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 →
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 →
Ventura Co. growers brace for citrus bug
UncategorizedVentura County citrus packers are nearing an agreement designed to stop the potential spread of a pest and disease that could decimate California’s citrus industry if it infects the state’s orchards. After slamming growers in Florida for three years, the Asian citrus psyllid showed up last year near the California-Mexico border and has been found Read More →
California budget may just be a short-term fix, after all
OpinionCalifornia has a budget, but how long will it last? And what will be done about the pension time bomb? Don Facciano of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association believes the legislature will be back considering more cuts in a few months. Others think it may be a mid-year correction. Meanwhile there is the question of Read More →
Driving out the clunkers
UncategorizedSinking new car sales in the Tri-Counties could be buoyed by the latest federal incentive to get consumers into more fuel-efficient models. But dealers are divided on whether or not customers will be interested in getting into smaller vehicles, and if participating in a government program is even worth the trouble. Some dealers, like Read More →
