The Leading Voice of Business
Thursday, February 11, 2021 | View as Webpage
HELP CHILDREN - REOPEN SCHOOLS, OCBJ BLACK BUSINESS FEATURE, VACCINE 101, CHAMBER CANDIDATE FORUM, EDISON CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH & MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
OCBC AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY CALL ON CA TO OPEN SCHOOLS NOW:* 
  • Yesterday, OCBC and business organizations from across the state held a press conference calling for the immediate and safe reopening of public schools. School closures are hurting the current and future workforce, economic recovery and most importantly, the mental, physical and emotional health of OC's children. “We must find a path to reopen schools now. It can be done; we just need the political will to act,” said Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council, Read more.

OCBJ ESTABLISHES BLACK HISTORY MONTH BLACK BUSINESS SECTION:* 
  • Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ), in partnership with Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce, launched the inaugural Black History Month Black Business Section. Click here to see which Black business leaders have been highlighted so far! 

COMPARE THE VACCINES - PFIZER, MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON:*
  • Learn the similarities and differences between the three major vaccines being distributed in OC and nationwide. Notably, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are extremely successful at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections after two doses, while the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is 85% effective in protecting against severe disease. Read more

LOCAL CHAMBERS HOST 2ND DISTRICT OC SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE FORUM:*
  • A number of OC's chambers are hosting a candidate forum for OC's 2nd district Supervisor seat, vacated by Michelle Steel. The special election is around the corner, March 9, 2021, don't miss this important discussion. Register here.

ED-TECH STARUPS – APPLY FOR 2021 AT&T ASPIRE ACCELATOR BY FEBRUARY 16:* 
  • AT&T is accepting applications for the 2021 AT&T Aspire Accelerator! AT&T is looking for both for and non-profit ed-tech startups creating innovative online solutions that help close the homework gap and keep young people connected to high quality education, inside and outside the program. Each company selected will receive $125,000 and access to AT&T’s senior executives and mentoring from leaders in education and tech entrepreneurship. Apply here—the deadline is February 16!

COUNTY OF ORANGE LAUNCHES OC ONE-STOP MOBILE UNIT TO SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE:* 
  • Orange County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with Orange County Workforce Development Board, launched the OC One-Stop Mobile Unit to provide access to education and training services traditionally offered by the OC One-Stop Center for youth, adults, dislocated workers and businesses while preparing the workforce for post-COVID-19 return. Services range from career training, local hiring events and more. Read more

SANTA ANA CHAMBER LAUNCHES FIRST TALENT MARKETPLACE BUILT FOR SANTA ANA’S POST-COVID WORKFORCE:* 
  • Santa Ana Chamber and JobzMall are establishing the first job finding platform tailored for the City of Santa Ana. The platform will empower students, job seekers and hiring managers in Santa Ana by connecting them with video resumes, video cover letters and video job ads for the post-COVID economy.  This includes a local Talent Pool so that job seekers can directly send resumes to hundreds of companies with one click. Visit the website here

JOIN OC REALTORS AND LUCY DUNN FOR REOPENING STRATEGY WEBINAR:*
  • 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

NEW DATE: OC FORUM SECOND SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT CANDIDATES FORUM ON MARCH 2:* 
  • OC Forum, in partnership with OCBC and OCTax, will host a candidate forum for the Second Supervisorial District special election. Learn how each candidate plans to address OC’s critical issues, including the vaccination roll-out, support for OC businesses, reopening Disneyland and more. The forum will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. Register here. 
ADVOCACY
IRVINE APPROVES HAZARD PAY MANDATE - OCBC URGES CITIES TO FULLY EXAMINE ECONOMIC IMPACTS:* 
  • OCBC is disappointed that the Irvine City Council voted to impose a hazard pay mandate on its grocery stores. According to a study on the impacts of hazard pay mandates, these ordinances are likely to lead to the closure of stores and higher grocery prices, ultimately harming workers and consumers. OC cities should fully examine the consequences of hazard pay ordinances before approving them. Read OCBC’s letter

OCBC INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE DISCUSS BOEING AND UPS SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP:* 
  • OCBC’s Infrastructure Committee welcomed Steve Shestag, Director of Environmental Sustainability for The Boeing Company, and Bruce MacRae, Vice President of State Government Affairs, West Region, for UPS to discuss their respective sustainability programs. Boeing is committed to reduce emissions from commercial aviation fuels by 50% by 2050. UPS is the largest purchaser of renewable natural gas and has over 10,000 all-electric delivery vans. Thank you, Boeing and UPS!

BUSINESS RESOURCES
CAA FAQ ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:*   
  • California Apartment Association (CAA) FAQ covers the new state rental assistance program, SB 91. Learn about eviction protections, how SB 91 is different from the previous COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act and other important info landlords need to know about SB 91. Click here to read.

SMALL BUSINESSES IN OC DISTRICT 4 – APPLY FOR GRANT RELIEF PROGRAM:*   
  • OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee's new Small Business Grant Relief Program for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 serves the cities of Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, parts of Buena Park and unincorporated communities. Grant awards are set at $5,000. To learn more and apply, click here. Applications open Tuesday, February 16. 

HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES INCREASE THEIR TAX REFUND WITH CA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT:*   
  • Your employees could increase their tax refund on average by $3,000 if you encourage them to apply for the California Earned Income Tax Credit. Click here for eligibility and opportunities to receive assistance in filing their taxes 

TODAY! JOIN CA FWD FOR WEEKLY WEBINAR SERIES ON RACIAL, ECONOMIC INEQUITIES:*
  • On February 11 at 11:00 a.m., join CA FWD for Moving California Forward, the first part of their weekly Building Equitable Economies webinar series. Attendees will learn how to join California Forward’s diverse, cross-sector movement to create inclusive, sustainable growth. Learn more and register

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
COVID-19 NEWS
CDC: DOUBLE MASKING HELPS REDUCE EXPOSURE TO COVID-19:*
  • “Researchers determined double-masking or wearing tightly fitted medical masks can reduce exposure to infectious aerosols by 95 percent — demonstrating that the better the masks fit, the better protection they provide. Medical procedure masks don’t always provide robust protection alone because air can leak around their edges.” Read more

SIGN UP FOR OC COVID-19 VACCINE NEWSLETTER: 
  • Othena.com is now available in Spanish and Vietnamese! 131,320 residents have been vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated will soon be notified of a second dose appointment. For the latest news on OC’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts, make sure to subscribe to the County’s vaccine newsletter.

DR. CHAU AND COLLEAGUES: HERD IMMUNITY IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH A VACCINE:* 
  • Without a vaccine, current knowledge suggests that about 70% of our residents would need to be infected before we reach herd immunity. A recent UCI/Orange County Health Care Agency study found that about 11-12% of our population has already been infected. If we allowed everyone to become infected until we reached the herd immunity “threshold” of 70%, about 2,240,000 Orange County residents would need to become infected—and between 5,600 and 7,840 of them would die. The best approach to taking control of COVID-19 is to build immunity through vaccination. Read more. 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SCE TO HOST BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION ON FEBRUARY 19:* 
  • Southern California Edison invites you and your colleagues to join them for their annual Black History Month Celebration! SCE is planning an exciting morning of entertainment, inspiring speakers and recognition of business leaders. Register for the virtual event here

GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
COCA-COLA ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER BOTTLES MADE FROM 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC:* 
  • Coca-Cola Company announced the debut of a 13.2-oz bottle made from 100% recycled PET plastic. This bottle uses less plastic and offers a convenient portion size. This innovation and others will result in a 20% reduction in the company’s use of new plastic in North America and reduce 10,000 metric tons of GHG emissions annually in the U.S. Read more

SOCALGAS TO PROVIDE OVER $1 MILLION TO FUND R&D OF HYDROGEN TO FUEL COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION:* 
  • SoCalGas announced it will provide $1.3 million to fund the development of four hydrogen fuel technologies that could provide emissions-free transportation for railways and at ports. The funding will help bring to market innovative clean hydrogen technologies. Read more

MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
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.
RESOURCES
Giving Back
American Red Cross & Blood Donations - Donate blood today!
Caterina's Club Feeds Kids in Need - Donate today to help
Chrysalis Working for 100 – Help 100 people get back to work
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank 
Cal State Fullerton - Support Higher Education
Cal State Fullerton - It Takes a Titan Campaign
Colette’s Children’s Home - Donate Today to Help Homeless Women and Children
HCA Accepting Medical Donations - Masks, Gloves, Gowns Needed
Basic supplies needed
OC Food Bank- Donations needed. 
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank - Match My Gift- Every $1 DOUBLES to provide SIX nutritious meals!
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
StandUp For Kids Orange County - Help Homeless Youth
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If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
contact James Alley, at 714.501.9893 or jalley@ocbc.org.
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.