Health leaders: ‘Ambitious’ Obamacare goals tough to implement
By Erika Martin / Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Health Care & Life Science, Nonprofits, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Health leaders: ‘Ambitious’ Obamacare goals tough to implement
Uncertainties shrouding Obamacare implementation are leaving many health-care providers strained, and consumers are thus far seeing few of the cost cuts promised by the overhaul. That was the theme that emerged from a March 18 forum in Santa Barbara hosted by nonprofit Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care.
Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Bain Capital debt strikes sour note at Guitar Center

With rumors swirling of an ownership change at debt-laden Guitar Center, all eyes will be on whether the Westlake Village-based company reversed its sagging online sales over the critical holiday season.

As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on As big-box firms slash stores, uncertainty for Tri-Counties

Radio Shack plans to close up 1,100 stores around the U.S. and Staples, the largest office-supplies company in the U.S., said it would shutter 225 stores nationwide in a plan to cut costs by $500 million.
Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire
By Staff Report / Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 / Central Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire

Bob Hatch is retiring after 20 years as president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest business group in North Santa Barbara County.

South Coast golfers trod parched courses amid drought
By Christine De La Cruz / Friday, March 7th, 2014 / Agribusiness, Central Coast, East Ventura County, Features, Green Coast, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on South Coast golfers trod parched courses amid drought

Some of the greens on the South Coast are starting to look a little brown as regional golf courses cut back on watering amid California’s worsening three-year drought.

Developers back out of deal to buy Santa Maria parcels from Limoneira
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 7th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Central Coast, Real Estate, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Developers back out of deal to buy Santa Maria parcels from Limoneira
Two housing developments in Santa Maria are back on the market after a potential buyer backed out of an $8.3 million deal with Limoneira Co.

Heritage Oaks to cut 60 jobs as Mission Community deal closes
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 7th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Central Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Heritage Oaks to cut 60 jobs as Mission Community deal closes
With its $56 million acquisition of Mission Community Bancorp, Heritage Oaks will shutter branches along the Central Coast in coming months and lay off about 60 employees in several phases.