Strawberries remain the largest piece of the pie in the Tri-Counties’ multibillion-dollar agriculture industry, but there will be slightly less acreage in the New Year.
Tourism numbers for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties have topped pre-recession figures in recent years and that upward climb is expected to continue in 2014.
Ventura County’s hopes to be designated a Federal Aviation Administration test site for drones were dealt a setback on Dec. 30 when the FAA picked six winners in the first round of a nationwide competition.
The Port of Hueneme announced Dec. 26 that it has secured more than $3 million in federal funds to reduce air emissions, improve its infrastructure and facilitate food distribution and education in Ventura County.
After several false starts over the years, the Fess Parker family is moving forward with revised plans for its second waterfront hotel in Santa Barbara, one of a few hotel developments in the city that could see progress in the New Year.
Atara Biotherapeutics, a Thousand Oaks firm that emerged last year with major Silicon Valley backers and licenses to develop six Amgen assets, has raised $38.5 million to pursue treatments for dialysis complications and ovarian cancer.
The Lompoc Tourism Improvement District was unanimously approved by the City Council on Dec. 5 and has overwhelming support from hotel owners in the city. The district will take effect Jan. 1, assessing a 2 percent tourism fee on hotel stays to generate funds to advertise the city to potential travelers.
