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Thursday, May 27, 2021 | View as Webpage
WSP CEO DISCUSSES FLEXIBLE WORK AND INCLUSIVITY, OC FAIR THIS SUMMER, OCHCA ON CDC MASK UPDATE, PPE GIVEAWAY AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
SPECIAL RECAP: OCBC’S CHAIRMAN’S LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST FEATURING LEWIS CORNELL 
  • Yesterday, OCBC hosted the first Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast of 2021 featuring Lewis (Lou) Cornell, President and CEO, WSP USA. Lou discussed "flexible work" ideas as he brings over 12,000 employees and 175 offices back, the importance of an inclusive and diverse work environment, WSP's preparations for the LA2028 Olympics coming to OC and across SoCal, climate resilience and sustainability, and much more. Thank you to OCBC Board Member, Steve Churm, FivePoint, for moderating the discussion. Click HERE to watch the event recording. 

OC FAIR BACK IN ACTION FOR SUMMERTIME:* 
  • On March 25, the OC Fair Board voted to hold the Fair from July 16 to Aug. 15 with limited capacity and fewer rides, concessions and vendors, along with public health safety protocols. Ticket sales are now open and advanced purchase is required. Purchase tickets today! 

ICYMI: OCBC’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM PART 1 - SAFE TRAVELS:* 
  • Last week, OCBC's panel of air travel, hospitality and recreation leaders discussed industry specific safety measures. Each of these companies are closely tracking and implementing regulatory standards to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In short, be sensible, but get out there this summer knowing your airports, hotels, entertainment venues and travel providers are taking care of you! Click HERE to watch the event recording.

OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY ON CDC MASK RECOMMENDATIONS:* 
  • On May 13, the CDC updated mask recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals. However, there will be no changes to the State Health Officer’s mask order and OCHCA will continue to follow the California Department of Public Health’s requirement for masks in CA until the June 15 re-opening date. Read more.  

TOPPING OFF CEREMONY FOR LENNAR FOUNDATION CANCER CENTER AT CITY OF HOPE OC:* 
  • Join City of Hope on June 3 at 3 p.m. for the virtual topping off ceremony of the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, a 190,000-square-feet of top cancer care service and research located at Five Point’s Great Park. The comprehensive cancer center will open in 2022, and this event will celebrate the significant construction milestone. Register here.

UCI’S 2021 ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATE:* 
  • Join Professor Chris Schwarz of the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business on June 10 at 11:30 a.m. to hear his latest thoughts on the economy and financial markets as the economy prepares to reopen! The webinar is free for all. Register here. 
ADVOCACY UPDATE
AB 71 DRAMATICALLY RAISES TAXES ON BUSINESSES:
  • While homelessness is a chronic issue that necessitates action and solutions, AB 71 would impose a $2.4 billion tax increase annually on businesses to create a homelessness fund. OCBC and business leaders statewide urge legislators to look to California’s significant budget surplus, including Gov. Newsom’s proposed $12 billion to continue supporting homelessness programs, rather than make it even more difficult for employers to compete. Read the opposition letter from R.E.A.L. Coalition here

AB 99 ADVANCES CA CRADLE-TO-CAREER DATA SYSTEM:
  • Businesses and educators can better address opportunity gaps for students by establishing a statewide longitudinal data system, which is why OCBC is proud to support AB 99. AB 99 brings the California Cradle-to-Career Data System one step closer to reality, making it easier to create more effective workforce development strategies. Read OCBC’s letter of support here.
 
BILL REQUIRING COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE EMISSIONS HELD IN SENATE:
  • The California State Senate wisely kept SB 260 from moving forward this year. SB 260 would have forced companies doing business in CA to report direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Many businesses are already taking innovative approaches to tracking and reducing their emissions without onerous state mandates. Read more about how this bill’s substantial data requirements would have harmed the economy.

BUSINESS RESOURCES
BANK OF AMERICA’S SMALL BUSINESS OWNER REPORT:*  
  • Bank of America's latest Small Business Owner Report reveals business outlook and economic confidence bounced back significantly from levels seen in the fall. 56% of respondents are confident their local economy will improve in the next 12 months, and 21% plan to hire, up from 13% in fall 2020. View the report here. 

CSUF PPE GIVEAWAY EVENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:* 
  • CSUF and PPE Unite will host a free PPE pickup event for OC small businesses on June 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CSUF. Click here to register a local business, church, school or organization.  

PUBLIC AFFAIRS WORKGROUP ON WEBSITES AND ADA COMPLIANCE:* 
  • Join Municipal Water District of Orange County on June 8 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a special Public Affairs Workgroup on Websites and ADA Compliance. This interactive workshop is free and will feature communications experts' tips for making online platforms accessible and compliant with disability requirements. Register here.

BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT UPDATES:
  • On May 21, CA released information that most sectors in the current colored-tier blueprint, with limited exceptions for mega-events, can fully re-open on June 15. The plan does not require physical distancing and capacity limitations for most businesses. Click here to view the details. 

TODAY! VACCINES AND BUSINESS RETURN WEBINAR:

CA LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY’S NEW EMPLOYER PORTAL: 
  • CA's New Employer Portal is a one-stop hub for CA employers to access state and local county COVID-19 guidance by business industry.  
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
LOST CDC VACCINATION CARD? REQUEST A REPLACEMENT:* 

OC YOUTH EARN AND LEARN PROGRAM: 
  • Offered through the Ready S.E.T. OC WIOA Youth Program, OC Youth Earn and Learn Program will start on June 14. This program is for students to learn entrepreneurship and build skills for success while earning wages. Information sessions will be held on June 8 and 11 at 4 p.m. Click here to sign up or review eligibility criteria. 

ANAHEIM/OC JOB FAIR: 
  • Join Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and City of Anaheim on June 9 for a free virtual job fair. Every industry is welcome; employers and job seekers are encouraged to virtually meet and explore career opportunities during this difficult economic time. Register here. 

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
OCTA SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS:  
  • OCTA has reduced over 200,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas, resulting in significant resident savings and cleaner air. Element Markets provides OCTA with renewable natural gas (RNG), a fundamental part of greenhouse gas emissions and has recently highlighted OCTA's fantastic accomplishments. 

COX CHARITIES SURPRISES OC HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS: 
  • On May 21, Cox Charities Advisory Board members signed onto a video call to surprise high school seniors with scholarships to help cover college costs. The students were selected based on their academic success, community service, leadership and commitment to their education. Cox Charities awards college scholarships to graduating high school seniors across its CA service areas. For more information on the Cox Scholars program, click here.  
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
Economic Development Forum Series: Part 2 – What the Biden Administration Means for the Economy
June 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join OCBC’s Economic Development Forum Series: Part 2 to hear from a panel of industry experts on how the Biden Administration will affect taxes, regulation, global trade and investment, recent and upcoming legislation, bipartisanship, and more. This event is sponsor supported and complimentary. Thank you sponsors: Amazon, Cal State Fullerton, and John Wayne Airport.
Register here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.  
 
Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast featuring Greg Seibly
July 21 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the second event in the 2021 Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Greg Seibly, President, Head of Regional Banking, Union Bank.
Register here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
June 4 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join OCBC for updates from Assemblymember Laurie Davies.
For more information, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.

June 8 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC for an update from the Port of Long Beach.
For more information, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.

June 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC and HR colleagues for an open discussion on the return to work.
To register, contact Jesse Ben-Ron VP, Workforce and Economic 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.