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Tuesday, December 14, 2021 | View as Webpage
OC SAN SUPPORTS LOCAL ECONOMY, MASK MANDATE RETURNS, JOIN 2022 OCBC ANNUAL DINNER, INNOVATION COUNCIL, STATE BUDGET SURPLUS AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DUNN & DONE: OC SANITATION DISTRICT'S FORWARD-THINKING SUPPORTS LOCAL ECONOMY
  • Have you ever stopped to think about how remarkable OC’s public sanitation systems are—things we might just take for granted? Once waste is flushed, Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) regional system provides not only reliable sewer service, but state of the art processes for access to clean tap water as well through the Groundwater Replenishment System. As the regional sewer provider for central and northwest Orange County, OC San operates nearly 400 miles of sewer pipes! On top of this, OC San will issue almost $200M in construction contracts for sewer projects throughout OC targeted to local vendors, contractors, and consultants to support OC’s economy and help create thousands of high paying jobs. Thanks to this forward-thinking, OC will continue its powerhouse leadership role as a global competitor! Read more. 
MASK MANDATE RETURNS WHILE CAL/OSHA CONSIDERS NEW REGULATIONS:
  • The Governor announced the return of an indoor mask mandate in response to rising COVID-19 infections statewide. Later this week, Cal/OSHA will consider increases in testing, social distancing, and costs associated for employers in their update to the state’s COVID-19 workplace regulations. The business community is concerned with some of the potential new provisions, including requirements that vaccinated employees with no symptoms be tested and stay out of the workplace after close contact with an infected individual. View the changes proposed or virtually attend the meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.
REGISTER FOR 2022 OCBC ANNUAL DINNER:
  • Registration is now open for the 2022 OCBC Annual Dinner on Feb. 10, presented by The Orange County Register! Join us at Disneyland Resort to welcome OCBC's new President and CEO, Jeff Ball, recognize the leadership of 2021 Board Chair, Jena Jensen, install 2022 Board Chair, Dave Bartlett, and wish Lucy Dunn well in her retirement! You won’t want to miss it! Register today!
OCBC A PART OF NEW INNOVATION COUNCIL:
  • Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan recently announced the creation of an Innovation Council comprised of representatives from local businesses, education, and government. The Innovation Council will work to define specific actions needed to help position Irvine as a regional hub of innovation and technology, ultimately aiming to create a collaborative and multifaceted Strategic & Action Plan to help attract, retain, and support scalable, sustainable, and high-growth technology businesses. Learn more. 
ADVOCACY
JOCKEYING BEGINS FOR STATE BUDGET SURPLUS FUNDS:
  • Assembly and Senate leadership outlined their priorities for the projected $31B budget surplus last week, with each targeting different goals for the extra funding. The Assembly plan would appropriate $10B to education institutions for student housing and deferred maintenance, as well as $10B to improve roads and highways and invest in affordable housing. The Senate plan proposes to pay down debts and retirement liabilities while increasing state budget reserves. Expect the Legislature to create a more detailed compromise of their budget priorities in early 2022 and for OCBC to advocate for OC's fair share of dollars!
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CITY OF HOPE OC EARNS ESTEEMED RECOGNITION:
  • City of Hope Orange County has once again been officially recognized for its commitment to its employees. The Orange County Register has named the world-renowned cancer research and treatment organization one of the Top Workplaces in OC for 2021. The organization was evaluated on its workplace culture, diversity, overall employee experience, and more. In July, City of Hope Orange County was also recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Orange County Business Journal. Learn more. 
THREE MEMORIALCARE HOSPITALS RECEIVE HIGH HONORS:
  • Three of MemorialCare's hospitals: MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, have all been recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report. These hospitals excelled on multiple quality metrics including complication rates, C-sections, whether births were scheduled too early in pregnancy, and how successfully each hospital supported breastfeeding. Congratulations and keep up the great work! Learn more. 
DISNEYLAND LEADS THE WAY WITH 19% EMPLOYEE PAY INCREASE:
  • After first rejecting the proposal last month, on Friday, Dec. 3, the union representing Disneyland cast members agreed on a new contract that includes a 19% pay increase of $3 per hour over three years and bonuses for long-time employees. This agreement avoided a potential disruptive strike that would have impacted Disneyland's park operations in OC. Read more.
OCBC'S UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
2022 OCBC Annual Dinner and Installation of Board of Directors
February 10, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Register here!
A special thank you title sponsor, The Orange County Register. Thank you to gold sponsors, Disneyland Resort and Experian; silver sponsors, AAA, The Boeing Company, City of Hope Orange County and HNTB; and bronze sponsors, Anaheim Public Utilities, California State University, Fullerton, Girl Scouts of Orange County, SDG&E, SoCalGas and South Orange County Community College District.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
TODAY! December 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
This meeting will feature an update on supply chain issues from speakers representing various transportation modes.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register for this virtual meeting.

December 15 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
This meeting will feature a presentation and discussion on innovative financing mechanisms for workforce housing being explored in Orange County. 
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register for this virtual meeting.

January 12 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
OCBC will be hosting the Orange County Workforce Development Board to discuss the no cost services they can provide to the business community, including recruitment services, workplace compliance and workforce training funds. The Workforce Board has the authority to reimburse up to 75% of an employee’s wages while they are receiving On-the-Job Training. These services are available to for-profit businesses, private non-profit organizations, and public sector employers.
OCBC members, to attend in person, please notify, Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP Workforce and Economic Development OR register here to attend via Zoom.

February 4 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The meeting will be held in a hybrid format.
OCBC will host State Senator Pat Bates for a discussion with members. OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to attend in person or register for via Zoom.
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.