The Leading Voice of Business
Monday, October 3, 2022 | View as Webpage
LATEST IN ORANGE COUNTY
Sold Out: 2022-23 Orange County Community Indicators Report & Rollout
The first Orange County Community Indicators Report & Rollout event to return in person since 2019 is sold out! Tomorrow's event in Anaheim will feature a panel of experts, lunch and a hard copy of the new report for all attendees. For over a decade, the report has been a tool for business, academia, government and community organizations to understand the growth and economic impact of the nation’s sixth largest county. Each year, OCBC collaborates with these leading Orange County nonprofits for the latest data and trends:
CalOptima Health—the county-organized health system that administers health insurance programs for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities.
First 5 Orange County—a leading collaborator with community partners to support research-based services while engaging with families and neighborhoods to help them become advocates for their young children.
Orange County Community Foundation—a local nonprofit that partners with individuals and organizations to fulfill their philanthropic objectives by offering insights and giving opportunities to match charitable goals.
Orange County United Way—a local nonprofit that empowers vulnerable OC families, individuals, students and the homeless community.
Appreciation goes to sponsors--title: Amazon, platinum: Cathay Bank, City of Hope Orange County and Orange County Regional Consortium, gold: Goodwill of Orange County, Kaiser Permanente, Orange County Education, Research Institute, Orange County Department of Education and County of Orange District 2 Supervisor Katrina Foley, and silver: Chapman University, Disneyland Resort, Rancho Mission Viejo, SDG&E, SoCalGas, South Orange County Community College District, Union Bank and Wells Fargo for making the event possible. If you’re unable to attend the event, a digital copy of the report will soon be available on OCBC’s web page.
Image courtesy of OCBC
12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Nominees Announced
Nominees for the 12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards are announced, and OCBC thanks all nominees for their hard work! More than 20 public agencies submitted a total of 34 nominations in six award categories this year. From streamlining development processes to job assistance for veterans, the Awards recognize public agencies and leaders for implementing policies and programs that cut red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open the door to private sector jobs creation. OCBC will recognize all the nominees in e-Indicator issues this month. Winners will be announced live at the Awards Reception on November 17, 2022, in Irvine. Nominees featured this issue include:
Business Retention & Expansion
City of Garden Grove: Foods of Garden Grove
  • The City of Garden Grove launched the Foods of Garden Grove program in July 2021, which lists 150 local restaurants to help expand their reach. The City’s casual dining sales tax revenue has grown at a faster rate than the state’s overall since launching the program.
Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector and Assessor: Reducing Property Taxes for Small Businesses
  • The Treasurer-Tax Collector and Assessor introduced resolutions to the OC Board of Supervisors that raised the unsecured property tax exemption from $3,000 to $10,000, as the assessment cost exceeded revenue for these properties. As a result, the County saved an estimated $86,000 in FY 2020-2021.
County of Orange/Orange County Community Resources: Veteran Employment-Related Assistance Program
  • This Program provides specialized wraparound services to active military and veterans, including employment opportunities with veteran-friendly employers. In 2021, the Program assisted 122 veterans and exceeded planned enrollment performance.
City of Anaheim & SoCalGas: New Business Pilot Project
  • The City of Anaheim and SoCalGas launched the “New Business Pilot Project” in August 2021 to resolve inefficiencies in starting new businesses/projects. The City and SoCalGas are now able to work together more effectively to submit, review and process plans and permits.

Category: Incorporating Innovative Technology
City of Tustin: Streamline Tustin Initiative
  • The Initiative leverages technology to improve government processes for businesses and residents, including accelerated building plan reviews, online plan submittals and more. From 2020 to 2021, the number of permits able to be issued increased by over 200, among other improvements to the development process.
Orange County Sanitation District: Wastewater 101 Citizens Academy
  • OC San created a virtual Academy for the public to learn about their operations, management and initiatives at no cost through four two-hour workshops. The Academy covers OC San’s broad duties, its Capital Improvement Program and environmental services.
Transportation Corridor Agencies: PayNearMe
  • TCA partnered with PayNearMe to allow drivers to pay tolls with cash at participating 7-Eleven, CVS, Walmart, Family Dollar and Walgreens locations. Drivers in 44 states and most Canadian provinces have made more than 280,000 toll payments at more than 5,100 PayNearMe locations.
City of Irvine: Windrow Eucalyptus Sonic Tomography
  • The City of Irvine maintains over 2,000 Windrow Eucalyptus trees, many of which are prone to internal decay that is hard to inspect visually and could pose a public safety risk. Using sonic tomography technology, the City maps structural degradation in these trees and can identify which trees require replacement.
Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG): Housing Orange County Video Series
  • OCCOG developed an eight-video series to help cities communicate complicated state housing policies in a concise and informative way. Topics covered include the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, housing elements, the missing middle and more.
Orange County Clerk-Recorder: SECURE Electronic Recording System
  • The Clerk-Recorder’s SECURE electronic delivery system, led by Orange County and co-owned with neighboring counties, was launched in 2007 to record real property documents electronically. During the pandemic, SECURE helped avoid service disruptions, and continues to save counties thousands of dollars annually.

To see the complete list of the 12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards, click here. Registration for the 12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards & Reception is now open. 
Image courtesy of OCBC
OCBC President & CEO Speaks at Security Symposium
OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball was a panelist at the recent Orange County Security Symposium presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Hosted by AbbVie in Irvine, Jeff was part of the Cyber Resiliency Strategy panel, where he shared the need for businesses to ensure that cyber security is an active part of operational and strategic planning and human resources management. Now in its 10th year, the event brings together speakers from both the public and private sectors to shed light on how to best leverage corporate security efforts and analytic capabilities. 
Photo courtesy of OCBC
Workforce Development Committee Meeting 
On September 14, the Workforce Development Committee welcomed Joyce Foss, Dr. Brian Dozer, Nicole Berkman, and Dr. Dana Lynch from Orange County’s 4 Regional Occupational Programs (ROP). ROPs service 14 Orange County school districts helping thousands of students receive hands-on technical training in numerous fields and industries such as automotive, construction, culinary arts and newer courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing. To learn more about ROP programs and how your company or business can help build Orange County's future workforce, contact Jesse Ben-Ron.
Photo courtesy of OCBC
ocV!BE Development Project Approved
This past week, the Anaheim City Council unanimously approved ocV!BE, a $4 billion development project to surround Honda Center with new entertainment, dining, hospitality and lifestyle amenities. Sponsored by the Samueli Family, Henry and Susan Samueli are the owners of the Anaheim Ducks and venue managers of Honda Center.
Photo courtesy of ocV!BE
INVESTORS IN THE NEWS
City of Hope Receives $25 Million Gift from Argyros Family
City of Hope has received a $25 million gift from Julia and George Argyros, philanthropists and longtime City of Hope supporters. The gift, announced by Argyros Family Foundation president Julia A. Argyros during the Hope Gala, advances the City of Hope’s mission to deliver world-renowned research, treatment and cancer cures to Orange County. In recognition of the gift, the healing garden at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center will be named the Argyros Family Garden of Hope.

Image courtesy of City of Hope
MemorialCare Breaks Ground on Women’s Center
MemorialCare executives, donors, patients and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett gathered at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills to celebrate the groundbreaking of its Women’s Health Pavilion. The new 40,000 square-foot facility, slated to open in 2023, will focus on women’s needs through all stages of their life. Services provided at the new Pavilion include women’s health, oncology, obstetrics, mental health, breast cancer clinic and more.
Photo courtesy of MemorialCare
Concordia University Irvine Moves Up in National Ranking
Concordia University Irvine has been ranked among the top national universities in the 2022-2023 Best Social Mobility category by U.S. News & World Report. Concordia moved from the west regional category to the larger and more prestigious national university category for the first time. The move in categories was due to the addition of doctoral degree programs. The social mobility ranking considers a school’s six-year graduation rate for Pell Grant students, demonstrating Concordia’s support of students from low-income backgrounds. 

Image courtesy of Concordia University Irvine
UPCOMING ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS COUNCIL EVENTS
28th Annual Economic Forecast Conference
Join the 28th Annual Economic Forecast Conference co-hosted with OCBC investor CSUF College of Business and Economics on Thursday, October 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel. Learn from leading CSUF economists Director of the CSUF Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting Anil Puri, Ph.D. and Co-Director Mira Farka, Ph.D. as they share their insights into the current environment, including recessionary risks, stagflation, potential limitations for growth and other concerns. The presentation will be followed by a discussion on the current commercial real estate market with a panel of experts examining interest rate risk, post-pandemic trends and projected market conditions. Thank you to sponsors--title: Commercial Bank of California, presenting: Experian, platinum: California State University Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation, Cathay Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Orange County Department of Education and Orange County Regional Consortium, media sponsor: The Orange County Register, gold: Disneyland Resort, HBLA, Infinity Bank, Titan Capital Management and corporate: American Business Bank, Brookfield Residential, California Bank & Trust, CHOC, Friendly Hills Bank, Haskell & White LLP, LSA, Marcum LLP, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and University of California, Irvine, and U.S. Bank.
12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards and Reception
The Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards is OCBC's groundbreaking program that honors outstanding public agencies, leaders and public-private partnerships for implementing programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open the door to job creation. Join OCBC on Thursday, November 17 to celebrate this year's nominees and congratulate the award winners announced live during the reception. Thank you to sponsors--silver: SoCalGas, Spectrum and Verizon and supporter: Cox Communications. Registration for the event is now open.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to Business Council investors.
Click the committee meeting link to learn more about the specific topics and issues that will be covered and any special guest speakers.
October 7
9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Email Connor Medina for registration details.
October 11
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Connor Medina for registration details.
November 16
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.
November 17
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Connor Medina for registration details.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
  • It's Rideshare Week Oct. 3-7. OCTA encourages commuters to "Drive Less, Smile More" by considering alternative options to get to work or other destinations, such as taking OC Bus, a Metrolink train, or going by bike, electric scooter, carpool or vanpool. Pledge to rideshare for a chance to win prizes.
  • California Clean Air Day is this Wednesday, October 5. Join OCBC member Southern California Edison and hundreds of other businesses and civic leaders across the state to see how together we can clear up the air. 
  • Registration for the 2022 California Economic Summit is now open. The October 27-28 event, organized by California Forward, brings together private, public and civic leaders from across the state’s diverse regions to develop a shared economic agenda, balancing equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
  • CSUF Extension and International Programs is launching a certificate program in Cyber Security for junior-level analysts who want to upskill and are interested in next-level cyber security positions.
NOT AN INVESTOR? JOIN TODAY!
Join Orange County Business Council 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, The Business Council's Chief Operating Officer.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
If your company, business, or nonprofit is a member of OCBC, send your news for consideration to news@ocbc.org.