The Leading Voice of Business
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HOUSING PERMIT REPORT CARD, OCBC LETTER TO BIDEN ADMIN, SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS & MORE! |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS:
OCBC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH:*
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February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black achievements in history, culture, academics and business while reflecting on racial injustices and how we can make Orange County and the nation a more equitable place. Learn more about Black History Month here.
OCBC PUBLISHES 2021-22 LEGISLATIVE ACTION GUIDE - A LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD:*
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Take a look at OCBC’s new 2021-22 Legislative Action Guide! The Legislative Action Guide dictates OCBC’s advocacy at the local, state and federal levels and is developed with significant review and contributions from OCBC members to establish positions on major policy issues. This resource also includes contact information for the county’s local, state and federal elected officials to encourage dialogue between the business community and government.
OP-ED: INFLUENCERS, CELEBRITIES AND FOMO CAN WIN OVER VACCINE SKEPTICS:*
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Imran S. Currim, UCI Distinguished Professor, professor of marketing, and Director, Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at the Paul Merage School of Business and others write, “Diffusion of innovations … offers a framework for increasing the number of people who are willing, if not eager, to get vaccinated. The central premise of the diffusion of innovations framework is that customer or patient segments that adopt early will influence later adopters. Innovators will influence early adopters, who then influence the early and late majority, who then influence the laggards.” Read more.
OC HEALTHCARE AGENCY VACCINE TASK FORCE MEETING COVERS LATEST VACCINE NUMBERS, SITE AVAILABILITY AND MORE:*
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OCHCA Vaccine Taskforce met on January 21 and reviewed the latest data on vaccines, site availability and more. The PowerPoint from the meeting is available here and the latest information on vaccine distribution is available here.
JOIN OC REALTORS AND LUCY DUNN FOR REOPENING STRATEGY WEBINAR:*
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On February 18, OC Realtors will host a webinar featuring Lucy Dunn, OCBC President and CEO, providing businesses with information to guide them towards reopening sooner and safer. Find out what strategies will set your business up for success! Register here.
HOUSING PERMIT REPORT CARD FINDS CA NOT ON TRACK TOWARDS BUILDING SUFFICIENT HOUSING:*
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Southern California News Group released their housing permit record card, finding that only 3% of CA cities and counties are fully on track to build sufficient housing, and 30% are not issuing any permits for affordable housing. The average grade was a C-minus. Read more.
DOWNTOWN DISNEY, DCA RESTAURANTS REOPEN THIS WEEK:*
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Downtown Disney restaurants are now open, and Disney California Adventure restaurants are set to reopen this Friday. The reopening of Disney California Adventure restaurants allows more than 200 employees to return to work. Read more.
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ADVOCACY
OCBC URGES BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO PRIORITIZE OC FOR VACCINES:*
- Rep. Lou Correa has called on the Biden administration to consider prioritizing vaccine distribution to Orange County, which has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. OCBC joins Rep. Correa in this request. OC’s economy, businesses and jobs heavily rely on the tourism industry and are therefore acutely affected by closures caused by the coronavirus. Read OCBC’s letter.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
ROUND 2 STARTS TODAY! APPLY FOR THE CA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT:*
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Small businesses can apply for Round 2 of the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program starting today through February 8, 2021. Click here to learn more about how to apply. This is the final application window for the grant—don't miss out!
U.S. CHAMBER TO HOST WEBINAR ON FEDERAL UPDATES:*
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U.S. Chamber will host a free webinar on February 4 at 2:00 p.m. discussing President Biden’s America Rescue Plan for COVID-19, the 117th Congress and the pathway to rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Jennings Imel, Executive Director of the Western Region for U.S. Chamber, will present. Register here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT UK PARTNERSHIPS AFTER BREXIT:
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California-United Kingdom relations following the latter’s exit from the European Union will be the focus of an international virtual event hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. The special guest speaker will be Dr. Matt Beech, founding director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull and senior fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Register here.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
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COVID-19 NEWS
TONIGHT! VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING - ASSEMBLYWOMAN LAURIE DAVIES AND SUPERVISOR LISA BARLTETT - COVID-19 WHAT'S NEXT:*
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Join Assemblywoman Laurie Davies and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett on February 2 at 5 p.m., for a candid conversation on what seniors can expect now that there's a vaccine, the status of reopening our economy and much more! Register here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COUNTY OF ORANGE LAUNCHES EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:*
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The County of Orange is accepting applications for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program from renters who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. This will help households pay rent and utilities. Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine residents cannot apply for the County program, but can apply for their City’s programs. To learn more and apply, click here.
ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE NEWSLETTER "BIG VOICE" LAUNCHES:*
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On military bases, Big Voice refers to loudspeakers that broadcast important messages. The newsletter will share important updates from Veterans Service Office for Orange County's veteran community. Learn more.
OC HUMAN RELATIONS LAUNCHES “OC TOGETHER” INITIATIVE:
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OC Human Relations’ Orange County Together (OC Together) aims to meet the challenge of addressing racial equality by mobilizing and empowering local organizations to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and supporting them to create and sustain an equitable organizational culture. OC Together is a learning journey to develop skillsets and utilize tools for human resource leaders, executives and others to consider. Learn more.
GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
OCTA NEW OPERATIONS CENTER IN ANAHEIM:*
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Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will build a new, $38 million Transit Security and Operations Center in Anaheim to serve as a hub for dispatching, transit security, information system technologies and emergency operations. Read more.
MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
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NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! |
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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.
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OC Community: Support Your Local Business!
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Support Local Restaurants!
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Giving Back
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank
Basic supplies needed
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
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New items are noted with an *
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
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OCBC works to get you the best information in these difficult times fighting COVID-19, its health and economic impacts. Check your email often for important updates AND follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. In addition, check out the COVID-19 Resources page on OCBC.org.
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