Chapter 1 - Caltrans - State of California

Chapter 2 Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures
Economic Conditions
The economy within the study area differs markedly from that of the surrounding region.
The economies of the greater Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties are diversified and
divided amongst the education, tourism, service, agriculture, and technology sectors.
While tourism and services are present, one of the main contributors to the economy of
the study area remains agricultural production. Due to location and development patterns,
there is a lack of a broad range of local services in the smaller communities within the
study area. Therefore, the majority of the goods and services required by the smaller
communities within the study area are provided by the City of Carpinteria. Commercial
uses within the study area, predominantly in the form of business parks and office
development, are primarily located within the southern area of Carpinteria, adjacent to
major transportation corridors such as U.S. 101. Industrial development and facilities are
also located in the southern area of Carpinteria, and development related to oil extraction
can be found throughout the study area. Additionally, hotel uses can be found in Mussel
Shoals at the form of the Cliff House Inn, immediately adjacent to SB U.S. 101 and the
Pacific Ocean.
Employment
Within the study area, top employers within the City of Carpinteria include the
Carpinteria Unified School District as well as research companies such as the DAKO
Corporation (cancer diagnostics) and NuSil Technology (Silicone compounds), as well as
AGIA, Inc. (insurance), and CKE Enterprises (restaurant franchises). Within the
remainder of the study area (unincorporated portions of Santa Barbara and Ventura
Counties), agricultural services and products, large commercial nursery operations, as
well as oil extraction provide primary employment opportunities.
Based on data from the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the
unemployment rate in Santa Barbara County has averaged 4.6 percent over the past seven
years (2000-2007) and was 5.2 percent as of February 2008. In Ventura County, the
unemployment rate averaged 5.0 percent over the same period and was 5.5 percent as of
February 2008 (EDD 2007). More recent unemployment information for the study area is
not available.
Labor Force Characteristics
Table 2.1.6 that includes information regarding labor force characteristics was derived
from data provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. As this data is not available at the
census block group level, the description of labor force characteristics for the study area
54 IS/EA VEN-SB US101 HOV Project