Tri-county unemployment down to 6% in November
Unemployment in the Tri-Counties and all over California hit its lowest levels in November since before the pandemic began, though the latest figures come from surveys taken before the post-Thanksgiving surge in COVID-19 cases and the new round of stay-home orders and business closures. California’s unemployment rate in November was 8.2%, down from 9% in Read More →
Two Central Coast economic development nonprofits to merge
The economic development groups Reach and the San Luis Obispo Economic Vitality Corporation announced a merger on Dec. 17, one that will bring the EVC under the Reach banner in a combined effort to improve the economies of San Luis Obispo County and northern Santa Barbara County. The boards of both Reach and the EVC Read More →
State of Santa Barbara County: waiting for vaccines, making do in the meantime
The pandemic has hit Santa Barbara County in a myriad of ways, making life harder for everyone, but the county is still trying to wring a few good measures out of hard situations. At the annual State of the County address on Dec. 11, put on by a coalition of the county’s chambers of commerce, Read More →
Region’s PPP loans totaled $2.87B
Businesses in the tri-county region received more than $2.87 billion in potentially forgivable loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, according to an early December release of data from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Central Coast counties ask to go their own way on pandemic rules
This article is only available to Business Times subscribers Subscribers: LOG IN or REGISTER for complete digital access. Not a Subscriber? SUBSCRIBE for full access to our weekly newspaper, online edition and Book of Lists. Check the STATUS of your Subscription Account.
Tri-Counties will ask state to form separate region for shutdown rules
In a show of rising frustration over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Southern California-wide “stay-at-home” order, the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo are jointly petitioning the state to loosen the rules for some 1.5 million residents. In a draft statement reviewed by the Business Times, the three counties said they will shortly be Read More →
Retailers brace for a pandemic holiday
Small businesses are using the holidays to find new ways to support themselves and their communities.
