Los Osos gets stimulus loan
The project to install a sewer system in Los Osos got a boost on Sept. 3 with the announcement of $87 million in federal stimulus money. Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came to the San Luis Obispo County Government Center to announce the grant, according to a USDA news release. The funding is Read More →
Harrington West files for bankruptcy
Solvang-based Harrington West Financial Group, the former parent of failed Los Padres Bank, announced Sept. 10 that it has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Harrington West, listing more than $26 million in liabilities, said it intends to file a liquidating plan within the next few months. With the loss of Los Padres Bank Read More →
Row 44 closes $37M funding round
Row 44, a Westlake Village-based company that provides wireless Internet on commercial airlines, announced Sept. 8 that it had closed a $37 million round of private financing. The new Series B round brings Row 44’s venture capital total to more than $60 million since 2008. “This investment gives Row 44 the operating capital to continue Read More →
Financial crisis inquiry underway in Bakersfield
The federal Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is meeting in Bakersfield for a Sept. 7 hearing that will focus on community banks and credit unions and the impact of the financial meltdown on California communities. A live feed of the hearing is available at www.fcic.gov. The FCIC’s vice chairman is Bill Thomas, a former congressman from Read More →
Region's companies make Inc. 5000
A number of regional companies were included on the 2010 Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine’s latest list of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Santa Barbara-based FastSpring was No. 41 on the list, and Xirrus in Thousand Oaks was No. 75. Carpinteria-based Lynda.com was No. 899 and Santa Barbara-based Jensen Audio Visual was No. 2845. Read More →
RiverPark units sell for $81.5M
A 400-unit luxury apartment community in Oxnard’s RiverPark development has been purchased for $81.5 million by three L.A. area firms. Los Angeles-based Urban Partners LLC and Beverly Hills-based Capri Capital Partners and Kennedy Wilson purchased Serenade, a “resort-style community” within RiverPark, Oxnard’s proposed master-planned development. “Our focus has been on supply constrained, infill West Coast Read More →
Calavo Q3 earnings up 141%
Avocado marketer Calavo Growers reported a record third quarter, with earnings up 141 percent to $5.9 million, or 41 cents per share. The Santa Paula-based firm said Sept. 1 that third-quarter revenues jumped 8 percent to $114.6 million on healthy sales of fresh avocados and avocado products and growth in its other perishable produce sales. Read More →