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Tuesday, April 6, 2021 | View as Webpage
CA HIGHEST ENERGY COSTS, CONCERTS, SPORTS REOPEN, HOUSING THREATS, STAND WITH AAPI, BOFA $1.25B FOR RACIAL EQUALITY, AND MORE! 
HOT OFF THE PRESS
SPORTS, CONCERTS, AND THEATRE PERFORMANCES SET TO RETURN APRIL 15:* 
  • Blueprint for a Safer Economy updated regulations on indoor gatherings based upon increased progress in vaccinations and level of control in the spread of COVID-19. OC is in the orange tier, which means venues can admit 15% or 200 people, and up to 35% if all guests are tested or fully vaccinated. Read more.

CA ENERGY PRICE DATA SHOWS TROUBLING ESCALATIONS.
  • CA gas prices are highest in the nation, $1.09 above per gallon US averages. Residential electricity is almost 63% above US averages. Commercial electricity prices are almost 78% higher than US average. THIS IS NOT HOW TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. These can be key drivers for business to exit this state. For more info: www.centerforjobs.org/ca

BIASC OP-ED: NEW GREENPRINT THREATENS TO UNDERMINE REGIONAL HOUSING EFFORTS:* 
  • Could a new “Greenprint” by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) spur more lawsuits targeting housing? This proposed tool to guide land-use decisions and transportation projects has lacked thorough input from business and housing stakeholders. Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) published an op-ed outlining how SCAG’s Greenprint could create a flawed database of property data that opponents of housing could use to sue or delay projects. “Ending the housing crisis means removing barriers to new home construction, not creating new ones,” writes Jeff Montejano, CEO of BIASC. 

OC FORUM’S VIRTUAL POP-UP-SPECIAL ON WAYS TO STAND WITH AAPI COMMUNITY:*
  • Join OC Forum virtually on April 9 at 12 p.m. for their pop-up-special, Standing with Our AAPI Community. Hear from Asian American Pacific Islander leaders on the power of community. Register today!  

SANTA ANA COLLEGE RANKS #2 IN CA FOR AA DEGREES FOR LATINO STUDENTS:*
  • Santa Ana College ranks #2 in the State for granting AA degrees among LatinX students, according to Excelencia in Education. As the LatinX community continues to grow in OC, their educational success is imperative for OC's economy to stay as strong and as vibrant as it is. Congratulations to Santa Ana College! 

BANK OF AMERICA INCREASES COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO $1.25 BILLION:*
  • Bank of America announced that it has increased its $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity to $1.25 billion over five years. This effort further accelerates work already underway to address racial equality and opportunity through direct actions, investments and work to catalyze similar efforts across the private sector. 

OCHCA CELEBRATES PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK:* 
  • OC Health Care Agency (OCHCA) virtually celebrates public health week from April 5 to April 11. OCHA aims to thank and highlight OCHCA personnel and partners for their response to COVID-19 through social media and virtual platforms.   
ADVOCACY UPDATE
CBIA RELEASES STATE HOUSING BILL PRIORITIES:*  
  • The CA Building Industry Association (CBIA) released its annual Housing Killers and Creators - a list of bills currently moving through the State Legislature expected to help spur much needed housing development, or inhibit it. Read the full list here and check OCBC’s website for key positions. 

JOBS NOT POLITICS:
  • Statewide coalition “Californians for a Safe and Rapid Recovery” opposes government-mandated premium pay that is counterproductive for workers and hurts consumers and communities. In OC, the Cities of Irvine, Santa Ana, Buena Park, and Costa Mesa have adopted these “hero pay ordinances” for certain grocery and pharmacy workers. Read more about the negative implications for the economic recovery here.

BUSINESS RESOURCES
ICYMI: HOW TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS ON FACEBOOK:*  
  • Last month, Facebook held a “Boost your Business” event with OCBC and Senator Umberg’s Office. If you didn’t catch the event, download this comprehensive resource guide for small businesses from Facebook. 

TOMORROW - SOUTH OC VIRTUAL JOB FAIR 2021:*
  • Calling all employers and job seekers! Don’t miss the chance to join OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, OC Community Services and the OC Workforce Development Board on April 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the South OC Virtual Job Fair. Includes complimentary participation for all employers, opportunities to visit ‘virtual booths’ for job seekers, and connections to build a broader network.  

CALIFORNIA WORKERS: MODERNIZED TELECOMMUTING POLICIES TO BUILD EQUITY AND REDUCE COSTS:
  • Despite being at the forefront of technological advances and innovation, California’s current policies related to teleworking have remained static. Prior to COVID-19, primarily the higher paid, highly educated Californians had the most access to the benefit of telecommuting. In an analysis of 2019 jobs data, 70 percent of all higher wage jobs (more than $100,000 average annual wage) occupations could do their work entirely from home. Read more!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
MUST DO ITEMS PRIOR TO COVID-19 VACCINE CARD LAMINATION:* 
  • COVID-19 vaccination proof is a critical aspect of social interaction. Laminated or not a COVID-19 vaccine card should be treated like any other important document. Experts recommend people store a COVID-19 vaccination card in a safe place. Lamination is fine after all COVID-19 vaccine doses have been received, information is double checked for accuracy, and backups have been created. Read more.  

AGES 16 AND OLDER ARE ELIGBILE FOR A COVID-19 VACCINATION IN FOUR OC ZIPCODES:*  
  •  People ages 16 and older who live in Santa Ana’s 92701 and 92703 ZIP codes, Anaheim’s 92805 or Garden Grove’s 92844 are eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccine age eligibility increased early in these areas to help prioritize hard-hit residents from predominantly minority, working-class neighborhoods. Residents who need assistance to create a vaccine appointment can call the Latino Health Access Call Center at 714-805-7893 or register directly with Othena.

JOIN GIRL SCOUTS OF OC FOR 10TH ANNUAL VOICE FOR GIRLS FORUM:
  • Girl Scouts of Orange County’s 10th Annual Voice for Girls forum, The Power of the All-Female Environment in Fueling Female Leaders, presented by Angels Baseball, is Friday, May 7, 2021 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Click HERE to learn more and register for this FREE virtual event. To recognize a colleague paving the way for women in the workplace, learn about our Spotlight Sponsorship and other sponsorship opportunities HERE.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
JOIN HOAG FOR A DISCUSSION ON THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN CANCER CARE:
  • Don’t miss a virtual presentation from Hoag clinicians on the latest advancements in cancer care, discussing how these therapies and technologies are further shaping the meaning of personalized cancer treatment. Register and learn more here! Presenters Include:
  • Gary Ulaner, M.D., Ph.D. - Hoag Radiologist & Nuclear Medicine Physician - Director of Hoag Molecular Imaging & Therapy Program
  • Peter Chen, M.D. - Hoag Radiation Oncologist - ViewRay MRIdian Linear Accelerator
  • Sourat Darabi, Ph.D., M.S. - Clinical Genomics Scientist/Educator - Hoag Center for Applied Genomic Technologies
  • Special Patient Testimonial - Discussing how molecular imaging at Hoag has greatly impacted their cancer journey. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
May 20 | 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join OCBC’s Economic Development Forum Series, Part 1, Safe Travels to hear from industry experts on the return of tourism, travel, leisure and transportation industries in OC.  
Contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager, for more information. 

April 27 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join OCBC for an exclusive opportunity to hear from top elected officials and federal leaders.
For more information contact Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
April 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Register with Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC V.P., Economic and Workforce Development.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
contact James Alley, Director of Communications, at 714.501.9893 or jalley@ocbc.org.