Orange County Business Council’s Government Affairs team held a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C. this month to make Orange County’s voice of business heard on the Hill. Joined by OCBC investors Orange County Transportation Authority, University of California, Irvine, and Chipotle Mexican Grill, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, OCBC informed legislators of Orange County’s position as an economic powerhouse and how Congress can help support the region’s economic and workforce development. Thank you to Reps. Young Kim, Mike Levin, Katie Porter, Michelle Steel, Adam Schiff, Kevin Kiley, and Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves, and the offices of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Reps. Barbara Lee and Robert Garcia for meeting with OCBC. To learn what legislation OCBC's Government Affairs team is monitoring, to view resources and to learn how your organization can become involved in OCBC’s Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee, visit OCBC’s Government Affairs resource page or contact OCBC Government Affairs Manager Connor Medina.

Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) has officially started! Orange County Business Council has been named the regional convener for Orange County for the CERF grant. Awarded by the state of California, CERF’s objective is to develop an inclusive, resilient and environmentally sustainable economic development plan that will be the groundwork for submitting projects to the state for funding consideration. A comprehensive stakeholder mapping process to better understand who/what organizations and entities could be involved in the planning and/or implementation effort is currently underway. To participate, complete the SURVEY. A second critical component is centering voices that have traditionally been left out of economic planning. To achieve this, applications are being accepted from organizations interested in conducting outreach and engagement with Orange County residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, with a focus on those who operate in or have the capacity to support disinvested communities. Selected grantees will be awarded by a broad cross sector panel of local organizations to conduct outreach in July and August. The goal is to positively impact the future economy of the region. Qualifying awardees include nonprofit organizations and foundations, community-based organizations, California Native American Tribes, or a consortium of California Native American Tribes. To view the RFP, click here; to learn more about CERF and to get involved, visit www.ocbc.org/cerf/. 

The South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees held an investiture ceremony in honor of Chancellor and OCBC board member Dr. Julianna Barnes, the 10^th Chancellor of the District. The Board of Trustees presented Dr. Barnes to the community at the first ceremony of its kind in the District’s 50-plus year history. Considered a milestone in academia, the investiture marked a new era for the District with a full academic procession while honoring its history. OCBC President and CEO Jeffrey Ball, a featured speaker, described the importance of opportunities for business and education to collaborate on meeting the workforce needs of the region in an equitable manner.

Chapman University’s Earth Systems Science Data Solutions Lab has received $2.2 million in federal funding to better understand and address pressing environmental issues. The lab, which uses data and artificial intelligence to predict drought and other climate change challenges, is led by a team of multidisciplinary researchers in the fields of geology, biology, computer science and statistics. Congressman Lou Correa, who presented Chapman with the funding award, cited California’s recent extreme weather and the need to understand how to predict and prepare for weather on a global scale. 

"Broadband for All," the state’s program to close the digital divide, is part of the state's investment of billions of dollars to ensure access to economical and dependable internet, devices, and skills training. Orange County Business Council is partnering with the State Digital Equity team and the County of Orange to offer a "Broadband for All" and Digital Equity Planning Workshop on Wednesday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Santa Ana. Registration is required for the free event. For information, contact kyle.oryan@state.ca.gov.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded nearly $45 million in state funds in an effort to enhance the county’s infrastructure. The funds will help with two projects—one focused on increasing mobility options in central Orange County, where public transit options are essential, and the other focused on finding long-term solutions to ensure that the vital coastal rail line can continue to operate for decades to come.

9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Email Connor Medina for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.