Covered California Signs Up 51,000 On Central Coast
Covered California™announced this month that from Oct. 1, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2014, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 50,985 consumers in six Central Coast counties(including San Luis Obispo) enrolled in subsidized and non-subsidized Covered California health insurance plans. The new total represents a 44 percent increase from the 35,301 enrollments recorded through Dec. 31, 2013.
The four-month total also represents 156 percent of the base projection of 32,602 enrollments Covered California estimated for the region during the entire six-month enrollment period, which ends March 31.
SLO Construction Activity is Slow So Far In 2014
Construction Monitor reports that total construction activity in San Luis Obispo County is down through March 11 this year compared to the same period in 2013. The report says all permits,residential and commercial, add up to $30.8 million compared to $78.3 million over the same time period in 2013. The report says the number of new single-family home permits declined this year to 58 compared to 109 permitted through March 11 2013. An $8.3 million permit for a big solar farm in 2013 explains part of the difference.
Avila Wants To Expand Aquarium
Backers of the Central Coast Aquarium Marine Science facility is seeking county approval to expand their building in Avila Beach. The non-profit group wants to build on an adjacent parcel to their existing building if the Board of Supervisors approves this application and subsequent applications. A March 27 hearing is set to approve the transfer of the parcel located in Avila Beach Park The potential acquisition is said to be in conformity with the goal of boosting visitor serving facilities. That expansion would add 5200sf of land to build on.”We would like to raise $10 million to expand the aquarium says staffer Tara Mazlone who adds that the goal is to increase “ocean stewardship” by building better exhibits particularly for children”I would guess our current space is only 600 to 800sf. We really shoved an aquarium into an existing marine science space.”The facility has been there for 20 years.