Santa Barbara County wine industry worth $1.7 billion in 2013
Agribusiness, Central Coast, Latest news, South Coast, Tourism, Wine & ViticultureThe Santa Barbara County wine industry had around a $1.7 billion economic impact in 2013, according to a recent study commissioned by the Santa Barbara Vintners Association. Spending a weekend afternoon in downtown Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone or driving through the Santa Ynez foothills demonstrate the industry’s growth and wine’s popularity. Yet, St. Helena-based Stonehenge Read More →
Settlement ends Amgen drug kickback saga
East Ventura County, Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, Tri-County Public CompaniesA drug kickback program is finally behind Amgen, the Thousand Oaks-based pharmaceutical giant. Louisville, K.Y.-based PharMerica was the last of three companies to settle lawsuits relating to Amgen allegedly paying kickbacks to PharMerica and another company to prescribe patients the anemia drug Aranesp. PharMerica settled the suit for $2.5 million in December, Louisville Business First Read More →
American Riviera Bank merges with The Bank of Santa Barbara
Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Latest news, Tri-County Public CompaniesAmerican Riviera Bank completed its previously announced merger with The Bank of Santa Barbara. The merger, first announced on July 15, was approved by shareholders of American Riviera Bank and The Bank of Santa Barbara and received required regulatory approvals. American Riviera Bank had $227 million in assets and The Bank of Santa Barbara had Read More →
Community West Bank expanding into San Luis Obispo
Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Central Coast, Latest news, Top StoriesGoleta-based Community West Bank plans to open a new branch in San Luis Obispo. Community West, which is owned by Community West Bancshares, looks to debut a full-service branch at 4464 Broad Street — its first in San Luis Obispo County. Its sixth tri-county location, pending approval from federal regulators, would open in the third Read More →
San Luis Obispo’s Digital West Networks acquires AdSmart
Central Coast, Latest news, Small BusinessSan Luis Obispo-based Digital West Networks has acquired AdSmart, a mobile advertising software platform. Digital West provides commercial-grade Internet connectivity, colocation and cloud services to businesses. “This strategic acquisition provides a much needed connection between infrastructure delivery and the direct business solutions we can provide on our network,” said Tim Williams, CEO of Digital West. Read More →
Calavo Growers’ fourth quarter earnings fall short
Agribusiness, Earnings, Latest news, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies, West Ventura CountySanta Paula-based Calavo Growers missed analyst projections on its fourth-quarter earnings. Calavo Growers, which is known for its avocado production, reported on Dec. 29 a profit of 28 cents per share, missing Wall Street’s projection of 46 cents per share. Calavo Growers stock ended the day at $49.51 per share, down $1.14. The company posted Read More →
Freska buys Oceanside avocado packing plant
Agribusiness, Latest news, Top Stories, Tri-County Public CompaniesOxnard-based Freska Produce International has purchased an avocado packer, Harvest Time Produce of Oceanside, the company announced in a news release Dec. 17. The move by Freska, which already has a Mexican avocado program, will allow the company known for mangoes to use the Oceanside packing plant to become a year-round provider of avocados. Terms Read More →
