OCB Bancorp taps Ortega to open Santa Barbara branch
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, August 1st, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, East Ventura County, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on OCB Bancorp taps Ortega to open Santa Barbara branch

The parent company of Ojai Community Bank is tapping veteran South Coast banker Eloy Ortega to open a new Santa Barbara branch.
Amgen to slash 2,400 jobs, shrink Thousand Oaks HQ
By Staff Report / Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 / Earnings, East Ventura County, Latest news, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / 3 Comments

Thousand Oaks-based Amgen will cut staff at its Conejo Valley headquarters and consolidate into fewer buildings as part of a company-wide restructuring plan that will eliminate between 2,400 and 2,900 jobs and shutter facilities in Colorado and Washington. Amgen said the moves are designed to reduce operating expenses by $700 million by 2016, money that Read More →
Ventura County’s ripe farm loan market drives $15.3M bank deal
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, July 25th, 2014 / Agribusiness, Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, East Ventura County, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Ventura County’s ripe farm loan market drives $15.3M bank deal
Sierra Bancorp is placing a $15.3 million bet on the agricultural bounty of Ventura County. The Porterville-based parent company of Bank of the Sierra said July 17 that it is purchasing Santa Paula-based Santa Clara Valley Bank in an all-cash deal that includes three branches and $105 million in deposits. The deal gives the Central Read More →
Announcing the 2014 Spirit of Small Business winners
By Staff Report / Friday, July 25th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Small Business, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County, Women Inc. / Comments Off on Announcing the 2014 Spirit of Small Business winners

The Pacific Coast Business Times is pleased to announce our 2014 class of Spirit of Small Business award winners. The annual special section, now in its 12th year, celebrates small-business ownership and entrepreneurship in the Tri-Counties.
Keeping Score: Nonprofit business advisers celebrate 50 years
By Austen Hufford / Friday, July 25th, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Small Business, South Coast, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Keeping Score: Nonprofit business advisers celebrate 50 years

The business-advice nonprofit Score just turned 50, but the advice it provides is ageless. The national organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the San Luis Obispo branch is celebrating 30 years. For half a century, Score has provided free or low-cost mentoring and workshops to entrepreneurs and business owners around the Read More →

Rewinding the tape: After ouster, Qualstar consolidates in Simi Valley
By Austen Hufford / Friday, July 18th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Rewinding the tape: After ouster, Qualstar consolidates in Simi Valley

One year after outside investors ousted Simi Valley-based Qualstar’s management and installed a new team, the company has reduced expenses and is working towards profitability.
Ventura County to get $4.1M Health Care Innovation Award
By Staff Report / Thursday, July 10th, 2014 / East Ventura County, Health Care & Life Science, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Ventura County to get $4.1M Health Care Innovation Award
The Ventura County Health Care Agency is slated to receive $4.1 million in federal funding to study treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, one of the most common lung conditions in the U.S.