By Editorial Board / Friday, August 1st, 2014 / Editorials, Opinion / Comments Off on Editorial: Large employers loosen grip on Ventura County
Half-a-dozen years ago, East Ventura County’s economy was heavily dependent on two very large employers: subprime lending giant Countrywide Financial Corp. and biotech behemoth Amgen.
The rise of home care in a region that is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country has thrust the future of the occupation into the middle of high-profile battles over government spending, the cost of care, wage standards and the future of unions.
Bank of America has shed a 1 million-square-foot portfolio of former Countrywide Financial Corp. office buildings for $200 million and plans to consolidate its Simi Valley campus.
By Editorial Board / Friday, March 14th, 2014 / Editorials, Opinion / Comments Off on Editorial: Chamber chief ‘hatched’ Santa Maria recovery
Bob Hatch has the sort of practical wisdom that is very rare in today’s charged political environment. He has been increasingly frustrated at the no-growth politics of the county that seemed to stymie every effort to promote jobs and opportunity for the Santa Maria Valley.
San Luis Obispo-based software firm Mindbody has raised $50 million in fresh venture capital, bringing its total funds raised to date to $98 million and positioning the company for a possible initial public offering this year or next.
