Posted inBusiness & Technology

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Watsonville grower settles over labor complaints; local wineries waiting for export updates

Bonnie Plants, an Alabama-based greenhouse growing company, will pay workers who say they were unfairly fired from its Watsonville facility more than $114,000. In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko also covers area wineries in the tariff crossfire, honors for Driscoll’s and Annieglass and numbers and events to know.

Posted inFood & Drink

Santa Cruz wineries uncertain about status of Canadian exports after tariff backlash

Wineries throughout the U.S. were thrown into turmoil this week when Canada announced it would halt all imports of American alcohol, effective immediately. The boycott was later paused, but has left some wineries in Santa Cruz County unclear about when – and if – their exports, representing tens of thousands of dollars, will be accepted by the Canadian government, and what long-term effects Donald Trump’s tariff policies might have on American goods.

Posted inFood & Drink

Low stock numbers usher in a ‘devastating’ Dungeness crab season

After a late start to the Dungeness crab season, fishers along the West Coast, including Santa Cruz County, are reporting extremely low stock numbers. It’s not clear why there are so few full-sized crabs, and it could be just a “down year,” according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The low numbers are leading some Santa Cruz fishers to move on to other fisheries early, while others are capitalizing on the high price, which has doubled from previous years.

Posted inBusiness & Technology

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Pacific Valley Bank looks north to Santa Cruz; deportation fears stalk Watsonville business

In this week’s local business roundup, Jessica M. Pasko spotlights a move by Salinas-based Pacific Valley Bank to open a branch in downtown Santa Cruz, notes the impact of Donald Trump’s immigration policy on Watsonville businesses and passes along other news, numbers and events to know.

Verify your email

We'll send a verification code to .

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of Lookout Santa Cruz directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article