First Solar sells 40 megawatt Cuyama Solar Project to DESRI

San Luis Obispo-based First Solar announced the sale of its 40 megawatt Cuyama Solar Project to D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments, or DESRI, for an undisclosed amount. Construction of the project began on July 25 and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. This is the third deal between DESRI and Read More →
Santa Maria City Manager Rick Haydon retiring

City Manager Rick Haydon, who has spent two decades serving the city of Santa Maria, announced his retirement Aug. 16. Haydon, 55, began his tenure in Santa Maria in 1996 as assistant city manager. He was promoted to his current position in late 2011. During his time managing the city, Haydon addressed a number of Read More →

Highway 1 closure takes toll on SLO County tourism

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.
San Luis Obispo city manager leaving for Santa Monica

Katie Lichtig, San Luis Obispo’s city manager since 2009, will be leaving this fall to join former Ventura City Manager Rick Cole in Santa Monica, the city where she started her career in 1992. Lichtig finished first in a national search for a chief operating officer for Santa Monica, which boasts one of the fastest Read More →
Anti-smuggling program gets $110 million in federal funds

An anti-narcotic and human trafficking effort, Operation Stonegarden, received $110 million in funding on July 24 to help curb the use of so-called “panga” boats for smuggling drugs and people onto the Central Coast. U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, announced the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 2022 via the Department of Homeland Security’s Authorization Bill. Read More →