The Santa Maria Valley economy has suffered blows from many sides: 3,500 construction jobs have evaporated, a motion picture special-effects house with Oscar-nominated work has signaled its intention to leave town and, earlier this month, a UPS call center announced it would lay off 270 workers.

But economic forecasters say Santa Maria — with its pro-growth policy approach and some big infrastructure projects in the works — represents some of the most fertile ground for recovery in the Tri-Counties.

The horizon is bright, if distant. Despite all the bad news, companies such as Fusion Contact Centers, an Arizona-based call center, are expanding.

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