Montecito Bank & Trust gives out $1.2M in annual Community Dividends
In recognition of community enrichment through compassion, 179 Central Coast nonprofits received a boost from Montecito Bank & Trust after persevering through 20 months of pandemic-related changes. The bank awarded those nonprofits from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties with a total of $1.2 million at its 19th annual Community Dividends program on Nov. 22. The Read More →
Dubroff: Diablo Canyon nuclear plant could keep the lights on a little longer
Betting on Pacific Gas & Electric to get big things right has proven to be a risky gamble. From deadly natural gas explosions to massive fires caused by faulty power lines to rolling blackouts, PG&E has more often gotten the big things wrong. Which is why a recent study about the future of the Diablo Read More →
The next big thing in wine might be nonalcoholic
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Regional unemployment rate hits new pandemic-era low
The tri-county region’s combined unemployment rate dropped to 4.7% in October, down from 5% in September and a new pandemic-era low, according to new data released by the California Employment Development Department on Nov. 19. The statewide unemployment rate in mid-October was 7.3%, down from 7.5% the month in September, as California added 96,800 non-farm Read More →
WEV wins $50K Bank of America grant for equity programs
Women’s Economic Ventures received $50,000 in grant funding from Bank of America’s philanthropic program to help underrepresented entrepreneurs on the Central Coast. The grant, announced by the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit on Nov. 17, will be used to advance a micro-grant and entrepreneurial training pilot program it launched recently in partnership with an Oxnard-based nonprofit supporting Read More →
Economist: Return of international travelers could strain hospitality industry
Reopening international travel to the United States might create some problems in Santa Barbara in wake of employment disruptions triggered by the pandemic, especially in the restaurant industry, economic Mark Schniepp said at a Nov. 11 economic forecast event. On Nov. 8, the U.S. lifted travel restrictions from specific countries and vaccinated international visitors entered Read More →
Economist in SLO: ‘odd recovery,’ but economy ‘on fire’
History shows that natural disasters have had “little” long-term economic impact, according Chris Thornberg, an economist who spoke at the annual Central Coast Economic Forecast on Nov. 5 in San Luis Obispo. In spring 2020, the United States economy abruptly came to a sudden halt as public health officials issued restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders Read More →
