If there’s one county that best encapsulates California’s vibe, it’s Ventura County.
From Oxnard to Thousand Oaks, Ventura County delivers a classic, laid-back, metropolitan lifestyle, complete with a gorgeous coastline; balmy, sunshiny weather; ecological marvels; eclectic city centers; quaint harbor communities; and one of the best taco scenes on the East Coast.
Living here is comfortable and inviting. Good schools, good communities, and gorgeous real estate has made Ventura County a popular area in which to set down roots and stay awhile. But don’t let the county’s pretty façade distract you; Ventura County is an economic gem, boasting a diverse economy where an inspired few become leaders and trailblazers in business and industry.
Agriculture, healthcare, oil production, the life sciences, manufacturing, government and defense contracting, biotechnology, tourism, and beyond – Ventura County is where you can do amazing things by putting the knowledge you develop in your MBA to work.
The Port of Hueneme: Ventura County’s Economic Engine Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
The economic impact of the Port of Hueneme can’t be overvalued. It’s a major economic driver for Ventura County that continues to evolve, expand, and generate millions of dollars in tax funds for the region.
In 2022, a report by Martin Associates, an economic consulting firm for the maritime industry, revealed a major increase in economic activity for the port since 2013, growing by an outstanding 150 percent during this time. In dollars and cents, that’s an increase from $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion and an increase of 224 percent in local and state tax revenue.
The report also found that between 2018 and 2020 alone, the port was responsible for the creation of more than 4,000 jobs, the vast majority (about 95 percent) of which were in Ventura County. Today, the Port of Hueneme accounts for about 20,000 jobs in the region – that’s about 6 percent of the county’s total workforce.
Some of the Port of Hueneme’s major customers include food brands like Del Monte, Mission Produce, and Chiquita; automotive companies like BMW; and global shipping companies like Wallenius Wilhelmsen and SeaLand.
The Port of Hueneme has been serving the region since 1941. It’s owned and operated by the Oxnard Harbor District, a political subdivision of the State of California. This international port collects no taxes; instead, funds are generated by the businesses that utilize the port, entering into operating agreements as landlord-tenant.
The port is a major component of the region and state’s logistics supply chain, accounting for $15 billion in annual trade value. The top trade partners include South Korea, Germany, UK, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Japan.
Why Ventura County Has Some of the Best Online MBA Programs and Campus Options in California
Diversity is Ventura County’s secret to success. From agriculture to biotech, massive enterprises to emerging startups, Ventura County is where business thrives.
Ventura County MBA programs provide the region’s businesses with a steady stream of business leaders who are prepared to lead with confidence. And in nearby Los Angeles County, MBA program options are even greater, with big names like UCLA providing a host of contemporary, innovative MBAs in on-campus and online formats.
Boosted by a prime location just north of Los Angeles, Ventura County’s economy enjoys all the perks of being a stone’s throw from California’s largest city and its mega-economy —and it shows. Superhighways ensure smooth passage in and out of the region, and the Port of Hueneme, the only deepwater port located between San Franciso and Los Angeles, provides outstanding opportunities for Ventura County firms looking to compete in the global market. The Port of Hueneme consistently ranks among the top ports in the nation for fresh produce and automobiles.
Speaking of produce… Agriculture is a hot commodity in Ventura County, with rolling farmlands of berries, meadows of flowers, and orchards of citrus fruit sweeping through the region. Massive agricultural companies like Limoneira and Calavo have called this region home for generations. But in typical California fashion, the agricultural sector has also given way to major players in the science-based, precision agriculture sector – more commonly known as agtech.
Ventura County’s manufacturing sector is alive and well, boasting big names in everything from aerospace to defense to biomedical devices. Oxnard, in particular, plays host to major manufacturers of paper products, pharmaceuticals, and food. In pharmaceutical manufacturing alone, Amgen and Baxter employ some 2,800 workers. Other big names include the JM Smucker Company, Proctor & Gamble, and Haas Automation. Complementing its robust manufacturing sector is a growing transportation and warehousing sector, largely centered in Oxnard. In 2022 alone, the sector saw a growth of nearly 19 percent and the addition of 1,300 jobs, thanks to the opening of a new Amazon distribution warehouse.
And the county’s life sciences sector has grown tremendously in recent years. For example, Amgen, one of the largest biotech companies in the world (they were actually one of the trailblazers of the industry some 40 years ago), enjoys a prime position in Thousand Oaks, along with Takeda, a massive bioprocessing plant.
Ventura County is a hotbed for innovation, with startups a common sight and incubators and accelerators always on standby to provide them with the physical space, mentorship, capital, and support to help them grow. In Port Hueneme, for example, FATHOMWERX serves as a public-private partnership between the Port of Hueneme, the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Port Hueneme Division, Matter Labs (a startup studio, think tank and consulting firm), and the Economic Development Collaborative that aims to promote innovation in technology. The FATHOMWERX lab is 60,000 square feet of space focused designing, testing, and prototyping technologies.
Accredited Online MBA Programs and Campus Options Serving Students in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Throughout Ventura County
Today’s MBA programs in Ventura County are aimed at producing focused managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities present in today’s globally focused business world. Many of these programs allow students to personalize their MBA by specializing in a specific area of business. For example, the MBA at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks can be personalized through your choice of concentration in finance, IT, or marketing. And reflecting the flexibility of many of today’s MBA programs, the MBA offered here can be earned in your choice of formats: on-campus, online, or hybrid.
California State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
Camarillo, CA
Website
- MBA (on-campus)
- Accreditation: ACBSP
California Lutheran University
School of Management
Thousand Oaks, CA
Website
- MBA (General, Finance, IT, Marketing) (on-campus, hybrid, online)
- Accreditation: ACBSP