[South40]

I've owned and operated a business in California for the past 30 years. At its peak it employed just under 300 people; we're currently at 75. I retired a few years back but maintain the company for two reasons; a) it remains profitable, though barely and b) I want to continue to employ those 75, many who have been with the company for decades. But with sky high Workers Comp rates, serious resource issues, rolling blackouts and water rationing and the democRATs' recession, it's getting harder and harder to stay afloat.

My friend Chuck Buck, owner of Busk Knives moved his production to Idaho years ago and the company is doing fine. He had that option, I don't. So the inevitable is bound to happen; I'm just putting it off as long as I can.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The company I worked for planned to build an asphalt terminal in Stockton on city (formerly military) property.
By the time the state air board, the county board, the neighborhood board and the Coast Guard got done with us, we built the thing in Reno.

[Caipirabob]

Bless you for your selfless efforts.

[Myrddin]

Buck started in Mountain Home, Idaho. When the electric rates and disability costs went up, he looked into a return to Idaho from El Cajon. Idaho made it easy to move. He set up the business in Post Falls. Buck has always made a good product. Now, they can thrive in a more business friendly environment.

My son had 3 corporations and 60 employees doing real estate in San Diego. The bottom dropped out in 2008. As a broker, his sole income was $395 per transaction for making sure all the paperwork was in order. That still amounted to almost $8,000 per month. When everything went to full stop, he lost his car and was having trouble making enough to even eat. I moved him to my 2nd house in Pocatello where he is doing much better.

Hang in. I'm prepared to drive to Omaha if my company decides to close up shop in CA. That's where the current customer is located. It's only 70 miles further away from my home than the current arrangement working out of Rancho San Diego.

[mad_as_he$$]

I moved my business out of Kalifornia in 1997 when they told me that in order to get a building permit for a remodel of the restrooms I had to reduce the number of parking spaces and add one tree for every two car parking spots. Insanity.

Cost Santa Cruz County 57 jobs.