SpaceX’s propulsion chief elevates crowd in Santa Barbara
By Stephen Nellis / Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 / Technology, Top Stories / 3 Comments
SpaceX engine chief Tom Mueller spoke to a crowd of more than 100 in Santa Barbara on Feb. 19 at an event called “Exploring the Next Frontier: The Commercialization of Space is Lifting Off” hosted by the Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum.
Chinese firm to pump $665M investment into Santa Maria oil field
By Stephen Nellis / Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 / Central Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Chinese firm to pump $665M investment into Santa Maria oil field
One of the most prominent oil field redevelopments in Santa Barbara County is set to be acquired by a Chinese jewelry firm. Houston-based ERG Resources confirmed to the Business Times that it is set to be acquired by Beijing-based Goldleaf Jewelry Co., a jewelry firm that also has gold mining investments.
KCRW enters Santa Barbara market with KDB buy
By Staff Report / Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 / Nonprofits, Top Stories / Comments Off on KCRW enters Santa Barbara market with KDB buy
Santa Monica-based National Public Radio affiliate KCRW has acquired Santa Barbara-based station KDB, intensifying the battle for public radio listeners and donors in the Tri-Counties.
Hotel developers embrace Paso Robles wine boom
By Christine De La Cruz / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy, Wine & Viticulture / Comments Off on Hotel developers embrace Paso Robles wine boom
A hotel development frenzy in Paso Robles could double the number of rooms in town over the next 10 years, a figure that already has seen twofold growth since 2000 as wineries flourish.
Labor of love: Nonprofit celebrates 30 years of teaching compassion
By Christine De La Cruz / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Features, Health Care & Life Science, Nonprofits, South Coast, Top Stories / Comments Off on Labor of love: Nonprofit celebrates 30 years of teaching compassion

Santa Barbara-based Adventures in Caring has taught thousands of future and practicing health-care professionals to provide compassion to their patients.

Vitesse makes play for Internet of things in turnaround tactic
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Vitesse makes play for Internet of things in turnaround tactic
Vitesse, which had $103.7 million in revenue last year, is hoping that the Internet of things will converge with the turnaround strategy it has been mounting for the past several years that is starting to come to fruition.

Conversant dials down on new ad strategy
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Conversant dials down on new ad strategy
Conversant will align all of its business units — including a new SET Media video unit that it acquired for $26 million in cash and $4 million in stock days after its name change — around the goal of direct conversations between advertisers and consumers.