Whole Foods buys New Frontiers in SLO for first Central Coast store
By Staff Report / Monday, March 31st, 2014 / Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Whole Foods buys New Frontiers in SLO for first Central Coast store

Grocery giant Whole Foods Market has purchased the New Frontiers Natural Marketplace in San Luis Obispo, setting the stage for its first Central Coast store. Austin-based Whole Foods announced on March 31 that it has purchased the New Frontiers stores in San Luis Obispo and in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, Ariz. Terms of the Read More →
Reason study: Taxpayers would save $460M with pension overhaul
By Staff Report / Friday, March 28th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Reason study: Taxpayers would save $460M with pension overhaul
A proposal to change Ventura County’s public-employee pension system from a defined-benefit to a 401(k)-style system would save taxpayers $5.4 million in cash flow over the first two years and $51.6 million in cumulative savings over five years of reform, according to a study by the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank. The Read More →
Region presses ‘play’ on $60M film production industry
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 28th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Region presses ‘play’ on $60M film production industry

Film and television production reels in an estimated $60 million for the region each year, and the industry’s impact on the Tri-Counties is likely to rise as tourism groups in each of the three counties ramp up their outreach to Hollywood.
Santa Barbara firms team up to buy Avila Beach hotel project
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 28th, 2014 / Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Santa Barbara firms team up to buy Avila Beach hotel project

The project, which has not yet started to wind its way through what will likely be a lengthy entitlement process, is the second investment by Somera Management and Postcard Properties in south SLO County.

Deckers takes Apple-store strategy with Goleta shops
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 28th, 2014 / Real Estate, South Coast, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Deckers takes Apple-store strategy with Goleta shops

The flagship store features Deckers’ footwear brands and highlights its recent efforts to build out its own retail infrastructure worldwide. It also shows off Deckers’ so-called “omnichannel” strategy, whereby shoppers can, for example, try shoes on in the store and complete their orders online.

AmeriFlex celebrates 25 years of helping entrepreneurs
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 28th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Personal Finance, Small Business, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on AmeriFlex celebrates 25 years of helping entrepreneurs
After a quarter century in an industry that’s changed tremendously, AmeriFlex Financial Services is gearing up for its biggest year.
Baxter BioScience to be spun out
By Staff Report / Thursday, March 27th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Baxter BioScience to be spun out
Baxter International, an Illinois company that is a major employer in the Conejo Valley, is planning to split itself into two companies.