Centennial Square, in Arroyo Grande is the subject of much debate in the city council these days. The proposed project which is planned to bring in more tourist business to the downtown area, and to expand the city’s facilities at the same time.

Part of the project involves closing a section of Short Street to make way for a pedestrian friendly square, however many of th residents of Arroyo Grande oppose the idea. The city is now asking for a proposal that does not include closing the street.

The project is an agreement with NKT Commercial of San Luis Obispo.

According to the California State Employment Development Department, the unemployment rate in San Luis Obispo County was down to 9.4 percent in December, from 9.5 percent in November. Although a small decline, that translates into approximately 130 more people in our county had jobs in December.

The County had the fifth lowest unemployment rate in the state as well. The state average of 12.8 percent shows that there are many people in California who are still looking for employment during this economic downturn.