La Entrada to restart construction amid tourism tax boom
By Staff Report / Tuesday, March 25th, 2014 / Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on La Entrada to restart construction amid tourism tax boom
In another sign that the region’s tourism industry is entering boom times again, the city of Santa Barbara experienced double-digit growth in hotel taxes in the first eight months of its fiscal year. During the annual State of the City breakfast on March 24, City Manager Jim Armstrong said that Transient Occupancy Tax, or TOT, Read More →
Building on a green foundation: SLO interiors firm expands down the coast
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, March 21st, 2014 / Central Coast, East Ventura County, Green Coast, Small Business, South Coast, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Building on a green foundation: SLO interiors firm expands down the coast
Green Goods is expanding from its San Luis Obispo base into Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
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.
Artificial pancreas trials move forward with $2.3M grant
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Health Care & Life Science, Nonprofits, South Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Artificial pancreas trials move forward with $2.3M grant
With $2.3 million in recent federal funding, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute is moving forward with clinical trials of its artificial pancreas, a device that researchers hope will substantially improve the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes.
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.
Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Real Estate, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
A Philadelphia company’s $41.7 million purchase of Hotel Oceana in Santa Barbara signals that large out-of-town investors are betting on a major boom in South Coast tourism.