Apps drive home the point that safe motoring matters
A Cal Poly Technology Park company is helping drivers drive better by giving them feedback. Several apps developed by Mentor eData track how well users drive and give them scores at the end of their trips. Stephen Lakowske founded the company in 2009 when his two teenage daughters approached driving age. “I thought ‘holy smokes, Read More →
Citizens Business Bank finalizes acquisition of County Commerce Bank
Citizens Business Bank finalized its acquisition of County Commerce Bank, the company announced on Feb. 29. In exchange for all of County Commerce’s common stock and options, Citizens paid $41.25 million — half in stock and half in cash. That equates to $16.79 per County Commerce share. County Commerce earned 40 consecutive “Five Star” quarterly Read More →
Downtown SLO development raises issue of building heights
The San Luis Obispo City Council gave a preliminary nod to the concept of a mixed-use development slated for the heart of downtown SLO. It was not a formal action, the developers were just looking for feedback prior to submitting a final project. While the development isn’t necessarily pivotal to SLO’s economic vitality, the conversation Read More →
Study claims short-term rentals in SB County generated $471.6 million in 2014
A new study backed by vacation rental owners and a popular vacation rental platform claims that short-term rentals accounted for more than $471.6 million in economic activity throughout Santa Barbara County in 2014. The study was commissioned by Home Away, an Austin, Texas-based vacation rental marketplace with more than one million vacation rental listings in Read More →
Tri-county growers, florists flourish despite drought
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Business, wilderness a successful mix
With the introduction of the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps and Sen. Barbara Boxer, we have an opportunity to protect 250,000 acres of our incredible local landscape as wilderness — a common sense measure that will drive growth in our local recreation economy and enhance the quality of life that Read More →
OCB Bancorp income up 142 percent in 2015
OCB Bancorp, the parent company of Ojai Community Bank, increased its year-over-year net income by 142 percent in 2015. OCB Bancorp’s net income grew from $380,000 in 2014 to $921,000 in 2015, or 40 cents in earnings per share. Total loans increased $48.2 million or 37.5 percent to $176.5 million in 2015. Total assets rose Read More →
