Vital Signs: Wine stimulates Santa Barbara County economy
By Jorge Mercado / Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 / Agribusiness, Economy, Latest news, Santa Barbara County, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Vital Signs: Wine stimulates Santa Barbara County economy
Santa Barbara County’s wine and winegrape sector contributed about $1.7 billion in annual economic activity, according to a new report commissioned by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). The report also shows that the Santa Barbara County wine industry provides 10,202 local jobs and $602.6 million in annual wages and Read More →
UCSB forecast says U.S. economy is strong
By Madeleine Benn / Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 / Economy, Latest news, left, Regions, Santa Barbara County, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on UCSB forecast says U.S. economy is strong

Whether there will be a recession or not, or whether we are already in one or not, depends on the economist you talk to on any given day. For Peter Rupert, the director of UCSB’s economic forecast and a professor of economics, he made his stance on the subject clear during the organization’s Feb. 23 Read More →

Transformative heart procedure circulates to Marian Regional
By Madeleine Benn / Friday, February 10th, 2023 / Health Care & Life Science, Latest news, middle, Santa Barbara County / Comments Off on Transformative heart procedure circulates to Marian Regional

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Officials gather to discuss options available to the public following storm
By Madeleine Benn / Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Economy, Latest news, middle, Regions, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Small Business, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Officials gather to discuss options available to the public following storm

With the near-record storm behind the Central Coast, all that is left now is to pick up the pieces. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have been the ones trying to accomplish that goal, teaming up to provide the tri-counties with a slew of help. “Partnering with FEMA and Read More →
Santa Barbara powers tourism rebound on the coast
By Madeleine Benn / Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 / Destinations, Economy, Latest news, middle, Regions, Santa Barbara County, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Santa Barbara powers tourism rebound on the coast

Despite potential headwinds going into 2023, Santa Barbara had a lot to celebrate in in the past year with regards to the success in the tourism sector. For the second year in a row, Santa Barbara saw growth, even reaching pre-pandemic levels, Kathy Janega-Dykes, Visit Santa Barbara’s president and CEO said during the Tourism Summit Read More →
Montecito Bank & Trust closes out 2022 strong
By Jorge Mercado / Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 / Banking & Finance, Earnings, Latest news, middle, Santa Barbara County, Tri-County Public Companies / Comments Off on Montecito Bank & Trust closes out 2022 strong

Despite total assets dropping from the end of last year, Montecito Bank & Trust reported an overall strong growth in income and loans to close out fiscal year 2022, the financial institution reported Jan. 30. Montecito Bank & Trust, the biggest bank in the tri-county region, reported income grew to $18.27 million for the year Read More →
Region’s unemployment rate dips back below 3%
By Jorge Mercado / Monday, January 23rd, 2023 / Latest news, middle, Regions, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County / Comments Off on Region’s unemployment rate dips back below 3%

The unemployment rate across all three counties along the Central Coast dipped in the month of December, according to data released on Jan. 20 by the California Employment Development Department. Combined, the tri-county area had an unemployment rate of 2.9% in the month of December, down from 3.2% in the month of November. It is Read More →