• California now mandates the use of cloth face coverings by the general public when outside the home, with limited exceptions. Learn more.

• U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that blocks the dismantling of DACA—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—which offers protection for children of immigrants who know no other home but the US. OCBC and other business leaders statewide strongly opposed ending DACA protections for nearly 650,000. Read more.

• Hear from the experts: Waterfront Hilton, Ware Malcolm, City of Costa Mesa, and Law Firm of Hanna Brophy on liability protection, workplace engineering and adapting business to ReOpen Safely, at OCBC's Economic Development Forum webinars. Missed the event? Watch the Recap HERE.

• UCI has issued an Executive Directive that requires all individuals on UCI-controlled property to wear face coverings. Please be sure to read the full directive. If you are a campus employee, you may obtain a face covering from Environmental Health & Safety.

• Free testing in OC: How to access.
• DO IT! Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you. 

• SB 939 was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not reach the Senate floor. While OCBC understands that many businesses need support, this bill would have devastated CA’s economy even further by allowing commercial space lessees to withhold rent for an extended and indeterminate amount of time. The state should help both tenants and property owners recover from the pandemic—not shift the burden exclusively to property owners. OCBC is proud to join business leaders statewide in stopping this economically disastrous legislation. Read more.

• Randy Barth, CEO & Founder of Think Together, advocates for Governor Newsom to not move forward with his proposed $100 million budget cuts to after school and expanded learning programs. Think Together continues their mission to close the academic achievement gap and change the odds for kids. Learn more. 

• OCBC and business organizations statewide are calling on all legislators to OPPOSE the Paid Family Leave Trailer Bill Language currently proposed in the state budget, which would require all employers in the state to provide 12 weeks of protected leave annually. This is not limited to just COVID-19. OCBC encourages you to contact your state legislators and ask them to reject this language and keep businesses open. Read the coalition letter to the Senate Budget Committee HERE.

• Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by civil unrest in Orange, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster will be eligible. Learn more.

• Ware Malcomb’s integrated design team has created several resources to help business strategically navigate re-entry. These solutions are created for optimum occupant health and safety. View solutions.

• In a six-part digital series, the U.S. Commercial Service invites Women Entrepreneurs to acquire skills and tools to expand sales into new markets in Canada and Mexico. Learn how you can benefit from the newly implemented United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) while also building a winning export strategy and developing valuable business connections. Register here.

• OCBC supports the Orange County Development Board by helping job seekers land jobs. OCBC will create a custom job flyer for your open positions that is then circulated across the county. To view a previous flyer, click here. If your business is hiring, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP of Workforce and Economic Development.

• OC's Dentists and Oral Surgeons are in critical need of PPE. Due to severe shortages, dental offices have been unable to reopen, leaving patients to be seen at hospitals for routine procedures. To donate or identify sources, contact Megan Francis, Executive Director, OC Dental Society.

• CHOC Children's Hospital Top 5 PPE needs are listed below. To donate or identify sources, contact Rachel Rolnicki, OCBC VP of Government Affairs. 
• Toilet Paper (Mini/Jumbo)
• Paper Towels (Tork Matic WHT 700FTX7)
• Foam Hand Sanitizing Gel (Wall Mount 750ML)
• Soap (Wall Mount Medistat PCMX 750ML)
• Cleaning Wipes (Super Sani Purple)

• Small Business Development Center
• SBDC Resources for Small Businesses
• Go-BIZ FAQ for Small Businesses

• Greater Los Angeles Tech Future is a community-focused initiative that partners with the greater LA community to educate the public on how technology is permanently changing our environments. The website will highlight how these technologies will and are providing people with better access to healthcare, education, jobs, economic development, social activism and entertainment. Visit the website.

• Following collaboration between staff and regional partners, The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors has officially concluded the South County Traffic Relief Effort (SCTRE). The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency will continue to support and coordinate with the County and other regional partners to advance the untolled Los Patrones Parkway Extension project, as well as with the Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans to advance the I-5 HOV extension project and the Ortega Highway widening project in San Juan Capistrano.