Category: Central Coast

Funds will benefit College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences

November 3,2014
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Cal Poly today announced the largest cash gift ever received by the university, a $20 million donation by Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer to the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. Their gift will be used to build critical new facilities for the college and modernize many of the existing teaching units in the Animal Science Department. The Oppenheimers will also continue to support areas of ongoing need, such as the Cal Poly Scholars program, as well as the university’s meal voucher program and the new Food Pantry to help alleviate hunger on campus.
The Oppenheimers’ gift is expected to fully fund the following projects:
— A new Agricultural Events Center capable of supporting livestock events, industry activities and conferences, and the college’s student experimental learning programs. The 70,000-square foot indoor arena is expected to seat more than 2,500 guests, with a floor that converts to conference space. The center will also have classrooms supported by the latest technologies. It will be located where the beef unit currently stands on Via Carta;
— A new Equestrian Pavilion, also on Via Carta, to add needed arena space for current equestrian programs and expanded events on campus. The pavilion will feature both partially enclosed and covered arenas, approximately 60,000 square feet each, with supporting facilities and vehicle parking to accommodate visiting horses;
— A new Farm Store to support the sales of all meat, poultry, dairy, crop and horticulture products produced on campus by Cal Poly students; and
— The modernization and expansion of facilities and equipment at the current animal teaching and research centers.
“Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy had a tremendous impact on our education and lives,” said Peter Oppenheimer, a 1985 graduate of Cal Poly. “We want to help modernize and expand Cal Poly’s animal operations and build new facilities to offer future students an even better experience than our own.”
“It is also our desire to relieve existing hunger on campus, so our students are well nourished and can focus on learning,” said Mary Beth Oppenheimer, a 1986 graduate. “This quiet need exists, and we would like to ensure that students have access to the basic essentials including food and personal necessities.“
“Peter and Mary Beth epitomize successful Cal Poly graduates, and their extraordinary gift will impact students for generations to come,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Their gift is also vital in that it will encourage others to give back to Cal Poly at a time when the university increasingly relies upon private support to maintain its unique Learn by Doing curriculum and emphasis on student success.”
“Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer’s generous gift reflects their confidence in the future of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, and true belief in our Learn by Doing mission,” said Andrew J. Thulin, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. “This unprecedented investment will enable the college to make great strides.”
Peter Oppenheimer graduated with a degree in agricultural business management and participated in the meats and feedlot enterprise projects while at Cal Poly. After 18 years at Apple, Oppenheimer retired in September after serving the last 10 years as chief financial officer. He is currently a director of Goldman Sachs and the Cal Poly Foundation.
Mary Beth Oppenheimer graduated with a degree in home economics with a concentration in interior design. Their youngest son, Mark, is in his third year at Cal Poly in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Squid Landings Climb In Morro Bay

October 29, 2014

In its annual report, Fisheries of the United States 2013, released today, NOAA Fisheries announced that U.S. fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish, an increase of 245 million pounds from 2012. Valued at $5.5 billion, these landings represent an increase of $388 million from 2012.
“Commercial and recreational fishing are important contributors to our economy and help create jobs throughout our nation’s communities,” said Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Working with our partners, the regional fishery management councils, and the fishing industry, we’ve made great strides on ending overfishing and are working toward building resilient, healthy and sustainable fish and shellfish stocks.”
The report shows that while national total of fish and shellfish landings remained about the same, total landings of wild salmon topped one billion pounds, setting a new record, up 68 percent from 2012.
California salmon landings were almost 4.4 million pounds valued at $23 million— an increase of almost 1.5 million pounds (nearly 51 percent) and $10.1 million (almost 79 percent) compared with 2012.
Chinook salmon were the principal species landed in the state. The average ex vessel price per pound paid to fishermen in 2013 was $5.29 compared with $4.47 in 2012.
California landings of sablefish totaled almost 3.3 million pounds and over $7 million represent a decrease of 17 percent in quantity and almost 22 percent in value from 2012.

Squid Landings Climbed in Morro Bay

At the Port of Morro Bay – State of Calif F &W figures released this summer show total landings in 2013 were up from 5.12 million lbs to 6.77 million lbs led by a 2 million pound increase in squid.The squid catch has gone from 276,000 lbs in 2011 to 2.1 million lbs in 2012 to 4.1 million lbs in 2013. Also in Morro Bay the value of  number one catch sablefish fell while crab increased in pounds and value.The  salmon catch – higher in California was not in Morro Bay in 2013 compared to 2012 as landings dropped by 50%.
At Port San Luis –  Dungeness crab was the big catch.

Nationwide,figures for recreational fishing activities remained strong. Nearly 9.5 million recreational saltwater anglers in the United States took more than 71 million marine fishing trips in 2013 and caught more than 430 million fish, of which, 61 percent were released alive.
Spotted seatrout was the top catch for recreational anglers, with 38 million fish caught in 2013. Atlantic croaker, black sea bass, summer flounder and red drum were the other most common catches for saltwater anglers.
Marine aquaculture production in the U.S. has been increasing steadily in recent years, about 10 percent a year from 2008 to 2012, the latest figures available. The top U.S. marine aquaculture species are oysters ($136 million), clams ($99 million), and Atlantic salmon ($77 million).
The report also shows that the average American ate 14.5 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2013, essentially unchanged from 2012.

Process to Emphasize Public Involvement

October 31,2014

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly  announced that it is preparing to update its plan for developing the campus over the next 20 years to meet student educational needs and the local, state and regional demand for Cal Poly graduates.
The university is beginning a two-year process to update the campus master plan, which will determine physical needs and guide future development of the lands, circulation systems and facilities necessary to support the university’s Learn by Doing mission.
The master plan update process will include extensive engagement of the campus and San Luis Obispo communities and numerous opportunities for public input and involvement. In addition to scheduling several events to encourage public involvement, the university has established community and campus advisory committees. The six committees include a cross section of campus and community representatives and will provide thoughts, ideas and input related to policy direction.
“The master plan update is a crucial process that allows Cal Poly to create the infrastructure and environment necessary to support the university’s academic programs and advance its long-term vision,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.  “Given its significance, we encourage those on campus and in the community to get involved and share their input.”
The public is invited to attend two initial public workshops to discuss and learn more about the master plan process. The meetings are scheduled for:
— Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kennedy Library atrium on the Cal Poly campus; and
— Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ludwick Community Assembly Room in San Luis Obispo (864 Santa Rosa St.).
Additional ongoing opportunities for public involvement and input are being scheduled and will be announced at a later date as part of the master plan update process.
The feedback received from the workshops and the work of the advisory committees will be used to help ensure the decisions the university makes related to the master plan are informed and reflect a variety of important perspectives.
For more information about the master plan update, advisory committees, public meetings and other details, visit http://masterplan.calpoly.edu.

October 30,2014

A revised EIR has been released studying a 4.4mile stretch to extend the popular Bob Jones Trail from near SLO to the current staging area (parking lot) at the entrance to Avila Valley.

The previous EIR appeared to favor building a bridge over Hwy 101 to connect the east side to the west – a plan criticized by a number of local civic and recreational groups.

Now the current “preferred alternative” calls for a a 600ft tunnel under 101 to connect the trail.

The revised plan was released by the County Oct 20. Comments on the plan must be submitted by December 8.

October 29,2014

Dutch-owned Rabobank has increased its position with a number 1 market share of deposits in San Luis Obispo County says the FDIC.

In their annual market share report the FDIC reports Rabobank increased their percentage as the top bank in the county with a 26.73 percent market share.The data is from June 30,2014..That is up from 26.14 percent measured as of June 30, 2013. The bank added around $100 million to their deposits in the one-year time.The bank has 16 locations in the county compared to 13 for Heritage Oaks.

Now 2nd on the list is the newly merged Heritage Oaks Bank with a 17.99% market share, up from 10.99% in 2013.The locally owned bank merged in February with Mission Community Bancorp. The merged bank has increased deposits from $585,620,000 to over 1 billion dollars.

Formerly number 2 in deposits in the county – Wells Fargo (8 branches) dropped to number 3 as of  June 2014 with a 12.40% market share.That is down from 14.15% in June 2013. Bank of America is number 4 on the list with a 12.35% market share,down from 12.40% in 2103.They have 6 branches.

Chase (10 branches here) is number 5 at 11.84% – up from 11.58% in June 2013.

The FDIC reports all deposits in SLO county increased from $5.329 billion to $5.579 billion as of June 2014.

CalTrans May Relocate To New SLO Office Building

Cal Trans may relocate 200 SLO employees into a proposed new 35,285sf office building. A proposal as heard by the city Architectural Review Commission October 20 for the new complex to be located at 2885 South Higuera between Madonna and Prado.The site is currently a 19,000sf warehouse on about 3 acres. Parking for 143 cars would be developed on the sloping site. The project  was approved by the commission.The applicant is Mike Kyle.

 

SLO County Hotel Occupancy Up

San Luis Obispo County saw its hotel occupancy increase to 74.2% in September from 72.9% in Sept 2013 says Smith Travel Research. Key industry indicator-RevPAR for the month increased by 5.8% year over year.Hotels in the county got an average of $132 a room a night compared to $127 in Sept 2103. On a year to date basis RevPAR for lodges in the county is up a strong 8.9%.

Barrelhouse Brewing May Come To Downtown SLO

Paso Robles-based Barrelhouse Brewing may open a tasting room in Downtown SLO. An Administrative hearing was held to see if zoning would be approved for the location at 1033 Chorro St in a new multi unit development there. BarrelHouse Brewing Co. is located in Paso Robles at 3055 Limestone Way.

October 20,2014

San Luis Obispo County’s jobless rate continues to fall – now a full two percentage points below where it was two years ago. In September 2014 the unemployment rate fell to 5.4% compared to 6.4% a year earlier and 7.4% in September 2012.

EDD numbers show some 1500 more jobs in the local economy than a year earlier led by 700 more leisure and hospitality jobs year over year – up 700.

Despite the drought farm jobs numbered 4600 in September 2104 the same number as September 2013.

At 5.4% the jobless rate is lowest since May 2008 when it was 5.1%. After that and since then  – jobless numbers have been higher as the great recession kicked in. In May 2008 there were some 7100 unemployed in the county. But over the next few years the number of jobless here steadily climbed to over 14,000. By Sept of 2014 the number of jobless is down again to 7500 as the recovery has gained steam.

As for farm jobs in September of the years of 2011 and 2012 the county showed 6200 farm jobs which for the past two years in Sept is down to 4600.

September 22,2104

San Luis Obispo County hotels enjoyed higher occupancy and much improved per room revenue in August compared to the same month in 2013. Smith Travel who posts hotel statistics for cities in the state says SLO County hotels occupancy reached 83.5% in August 2014 compared to 82.5% a year earlier.

The hotels RevPAR number ( revenue per room) jumped from $120.29 a year ago to $132.30 – a 9.9% increase. On a year to date basis SLO lodges occupancy rose to 71.1% from 69.1 % during the same 8 months of 2013. During that same time RevPAR is up 9.3%.

The gains were good across the state as occupancy rose in August to 81.4% from 79.4% in Aug 2103. Best performance in the state was SF  where the average daily rate was $188.65 and occupancy stood at 88.7% in August – the busiest travel month of the year. Statewide, airport hotels appear to be the busiest while interstate highway hotels do poorest.

September 13,2104

Historic Cayucos pier,closed since July 2013 will get rebuilt starting next month replacing piers from the tidal zone to the end of the pier. Work should be completed by May.The pier was stabilized  last December from large storm surges while funding was being gathered to fix the pier permanently. First built in 1872 to load and unload lumber butter and milk the pier was no longer used for shipping after 1920.

Today with money in hand the state-owned pier  will get a  new lease on life using funds overseen by the state Fish and Wildlife agency. Popular today both for tourism and fishing,the money to start the repairs next month includes $500,000 in volunteer donations raised locally for both repair and ongoing maintenance

With a total cost of costs of $3.5 million the the Cayucos Pier Project Committee says the county will pay $1,790,000; Save Cayucos Pier Project: $100,000 for structural rebuild and $135,000 for new power and electrical work,Chevron Corp.: $5,000, California Coastal Conservancy: $750,000, and  California Wildlife Conservation Fund: $750,000.

This week the SLO Board of Supervisors are expected to approve the low bid of $1.7 million for the work to be done by Associated Pacific Constructors, Inc.

Pictured : Famed pier in the old days

September 13,2104

SLO Airport & Alaska Airlines Continue Talks

SLO Airport manager Kevin Bumen says talks are continuing with Alaska Airlines to start up daily flights to Seattle from San Luis Obispo.
“We have more meetings scheduled” says Bumen, who has been talking to the country’s 6th largest airline, based in Seattle for several months.

Bumen says Alaska is interested in San Luis Obispo “because of our diversity with demand coming from both the leisure and business markets.”  Both communities have strong tourist and  high-tech, college-supported economies.

Currently SLO is connected only to LAX and Phoenix with regular scheduled flights. Offering regular service to Seattle would connect SLO area residents to the gateway to the Pacific Northwest as well as Hawaii and a host of international destinations out the Seattle- Tacoma airport.

pictured: Pikes Market in Seattle. International  destinations  from  Seattle

Seattle is of course home to some  well known companies with a huge aerospace industry led by Boeing said to employ 82,000 as well, Microsoft, Costco and Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle. to name some.

San Luis Obispo reputation as a tourist destination continues to grow as well as a retirement haven, acclaimed wine region  and now high-tech startup hub. The fastest growing companies in SLO  now include Mind Body, Digital West and Rosetta, all nourished by affiliations with CalPoly University and the talent that it generates.Over 40% of our population age 25 and above holds a college degree or higher.

In addition, all we enjoy could be attractive to  Washington residents starved for sun much of the year but seeking a more lay back destination.

Bumen says Alaska would likely their 70 passenger CRJ-700 jets here.

Boosting chances Alaska may give SLO a try is that fact that the airline  is clearly in expansion mode having just added their 77 nonstop desintaion from Seattle to Detroit earlier this month. A press account recently says “By the end of next spring, Alaska Airlines plans to expand its Seattle departure by 11%, increasing the tally of daily flights from Tacoma International Airport to 280 from the current 253. The carrier has already introduced flights to New Orleans and Tampa as part of that plan and is set to launch new services further to Baltimore, Detroit, Albuquerque and Cancun by Nov 2014.”

Allowing the company to serve new areas are plans well underway to cease several daily flights to some destinations prompting an official to say  “While it’s unfortunate to eliminate service to any market, these moves are part of our strategy to strengthen the performance of Alaska Airlines’ network,” Andrew Harrison, the airline’s vice president of planning and revenue management, said in the release. “By exiting under performing markets, we’re able to redeploy aircraft and begin flying to new and underserved markets from Seattle.”

Demand for seats at the SLO airport continue strong this summer with year-to-date passenger numbers up around 15% over year’s pace says Bumen.

More expansion news – looks  good for SLO to start on its new $28 million passenger terminal as soon as next year hopes Bumen, if all goes right.