Atara raises $38.5M for dialysis, cancer drugs
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / East Ventura County, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Atara raises $38.5M for dialysis, cancer drugs
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.

Lompoc bets on TBID: Hoteliers organize tourism marketing district
By Christine De La Cruz / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / Central Coast, Features, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy, Wine & Viticulture / Comments Off on Lompoc bets on TBID: Hoteliers organize tourism marketing district
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.

Deckers cozies up to Ugg retail store strategy
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Deckers cozies up to Ugg retail store strategy

As Deckers Outdoor Corp. makes the move to its new campus headquarters in Goleta, the billion-dollar-a-year Ugg firm says it has smoothed out its business model and is on track for a stellar 2013.

Mafi-Trench gears up: Santa Maria manufacturer plans for new plant
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / Central Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Mafi-Trench gears up: Santa Maria manufacturer plans for new plant

James Reilly has been pushing for a new manufacturing plant to bring about 100 new jobs to Santa Maria for two years, and now the real work of getting it financed is about to begin.

Diesel seeks $5.5M from defunct GBMI
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / Law & Goverment, South Coast, Top Stories / Comments Off on Diesel seeks $5.5M from defunct GBMI
Italian fashion firm Diesel is hoping to enforce a $5.5 million judgment against Global Brand Marketing Inc., the Santa Barbara-based footwear firm led by Killick Datta that was worth $500 million at its peak.

Clean Diesel changes ethics rules after $1.9M federal fine
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, December 20th, 2013 / Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Clean Diesel changes ethics rules after $1.9M federal fine
The CEO of Ventura-based Clean Diesel Technologies has stepped down after a year on the job, a move that likely reflects a faltering relationship with Italian tire-maker Pirelli. In a separate announcement, the company said it has amended its ethics code in light of a $1.9 million fine from federal labor regulators over a whistleblower complaint.
2013 attendance at Savor the Central Coast climbs 5.8%
By Staff Report / Thursday, December 19th, 2013 / Central Coast, Tourism / Comments Off on 2013 attendance at Savor the Central Coast climbs 5.8%
San Luis Obispo County’s fourth annual Savor the Central Coast again posted growth in attendance and revenue.