An effort to create an interest group around manufacturing is picking up speed in Ventura County. Haas Automation executive Peter Zierhut told an Econmic Development Collaborative board meeting on Sept. 17 that he’s had expressions of interest from a number of firms, including Meissner Filtration and AeroVironment, to formalize an organization that would look at issues like workforce training and improved regional transportation. He said thinks the group will launch with about a dozen members.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Beyond Limits, an industrial AI company in Pasadena that got its start at Hub101 in Thousand Oaks, has raised an eye-popping $133 million in a C round of funding led by a follow-on investment from BP Ventures. Beyond Limits is focused on energy, utility and power applications, according to reporting by Crunchbase News.

The proceeds will be used to launch in Asia and expand in the Middle East and Africa. It has adapted the software-as-a-service model that’s powered other software startups and it is targeting the world’s largest energy and power companies. It is expected to book over $100 million in sales in the next couple of years, Crunchbase News reported.

GOOD WORKS

The Santa Barbara County Women Winemakers Celebration, one of the last public events held prior to the big lockdown in March, is donating $10,000 to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to aid in the organization’s expanded food distribution efforts, especially in North Santa Barbara County, which accounts for 70 percent of the foodbank’s distributions in 2020. Santa Barbara City College, Central Coast Data Science Partnership and the National Science Foundation have teamed up to train students and help them transfer to four-year degree programs. The partnership also includes UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and CSU San Bernardino.

OXNARD HONORS

The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce recently handed out its annual awards. A sampling of those taking home hardware includes Citizen of the Year Marvin Boos; Business Advocate Ashley Golden, Oxnard’s assistant city manager; Young Professional Taylor Penny; Small Business of the Year PODS; Large Business DW Drums; Innovative Business FOMAT Medical Research; and Best Place to Work, Visit Oxnard.

HANCOCK CELEBRATES

Allan Hancock College celebrated its 100th anniversary by receiving more than $4.2 million in grants to support Latinx students. The officially designated Hispanic Serving Institution counts 65 percent of its population as Hispanic.

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth has enlisted former California superintendent and State Sen. Jack O’Connell and former Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean to support his campaign for a Ventura County Community College District seat.

FINAL SCENES… COSTNER SPEAKS:

Kevin Costner, 65, gave an interview to AARP magazine from his home in Santa Barbara where he was quarantined earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic was hitting a spring peak.

DOUBLE LOVE:

Castoro Cellars’ Double Black wines label from Paso Robles gets a photo and props from Total Wines in its latest mailer. Kudos to co-founders Niels and Bimmer Udsen.

TAKE A BOW:

Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham, R-San Luis Obispo, has named the SLO Food Bank as the 35th Assembly District Nonprofit of the Year.