For much of the past year, San Luis Obispo County has looked like the basket case of the regional economy.
 

Its government-heavy employment base has been shattered by the California budget crisis. City and county bureaucracies are being trimmed back, Cal Poly employees are facing furlough days and job growth has ground to a halt.

Moreover, the real estate recession has hit the county hard. With property just about the only game around, a wave of foreclosures and scandals has rocked the county’s business scene.

The full version of this column is only available to print subscribers. To view everything the Business Times offers, see this week’s print version or SUBSCRIBE for $49.99 today.