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Tuesday, August 31, 2021 | View as Webpage
DISNEY BACK TO WORK, VACCINE INFO COMES TO YOU, OCBC'S LEA RECEPTION, HONORING THOSE CUTTING THROUGH RED TAPE, WELCOME MARK WALSH AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DISNEYLAND RESORT CELEBRATES 19,000 CAST MEMBERS RETURN TO WORK: 
  • Since the reopening of its theme parks, the Disneyland Resort is proud to have returned more than 19,000 cast members to work. With all three Disneyland Resort Hotels recently reopening and more dining locations coming on board, the resort continues rapidly hiring hundreds more cast members each week. As one of the largest employers in OC, Disneyland takes pride in its employment experience, including the significant investment made in its workforce—from comprehensive benefits and unique perks to development opportunities. Learn more.

HOST A VACCINE INFO SESSION AT YOUR BUSINESS:
  • Do you have employees hesitant about vaccines? Need more info? Need doctors with up to date info? Orange County Health Care Agency will COME TO YOU! Make an appointment here. Email Anza Vang for personalized service. It’s no cost. It’s the right thing.  

TONIGHT! DON'T MISS OCBC'S ANNUAL LEA RECEPTION:
  • Join OCBC virtually at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate 17 years of helping families succeed through the LEA program. Formerly “Latino Educational Attainment,” LEA is now “Leading Educational Attainment for Families” as the program has expanded to meet the needs of OC’s ever-growing ethnic diversity. LEA changes the lives of hundreds of families every year by educating and empowering them to be active in their child’s educational attainment. Hear from the families who have graduated from this program, as well as a special message from Congressman Lou Correa. Sponsor supported and complimentary to attend. Register now!

DISNEYLAND RESORTS HELPS TURN ANAHEIM HOUSING PROJECT TO REALITY: 
  • Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock was on hand for the grand opening of a housing community in Anaheim for some of OC’s most vulnerable residents. The Disneyland Resort donated $5 million in 2019 to help revitalize the Orange County Housing Trust (OCHT), dedicated to increasing the supply and availability of permanent supportive and affordable housing units. One of the projects OCHT provided “last-mile” funding to complete is Buena Esperanza, which converted the former Econo Lodge motel into a Spanish-styled, two-story studio apartment community for veterans and homeless individuals with mental illness. Learn more.

LAST CALL FOR OCBC'S TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET AWARD NOMINATIONS: 
  • Now in its eleventh year, OCBC’s groundbreaking awards program honors outstanding public agencies for implementing policies and programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open the door to private-sector jobs creation. Does that sound like someone you know? Submit a nomination today! Deadline is Sept. 3. Winners will be recognized at the awards reception on Nov. 4. For questions, please contact Connor Medina.
JOIN US IN WELCOMING A NEW OCBC BOARD MEMBER
OCBC WELCOMES MARK WALSH
As CEO of MeriCal LLC, Mark Walsh leads a team of over 600 employees who develop and manufacture nutritional supplements for leading brands that improve the lives of millions of people around the world. His primary responsibility is overseeing the strategic leadership of the business by working with the board of directors and the executive team to establish long-range goals, strategies, and plans aligned with driving shareholder value. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology from Eastern Illinois University. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and playing music as well as hiking in nature.
ADVOCACY
OCBC OPPOSES IMPOSING BROAD BURDENS ON WAREHOUSE OPERATORS:
  • OCBC and a coalition of business groups statewide ask the State Senate to vote no on AB 701, a bill targeting warehouse distribution centers with onerous regulations. The bill would give plaintiffs’ attorneys more grounds to leverage large settlements from warehouse employers. AB 701 would raise costs for warehouses, which would be passed down to consumers. Warehouses are key contributors to Orange County’s supply chain and economic competitiveness. Read the coalition letter here.

OCBC CALLS OUT ANTI-HOUSING GREENPRINT PLAN:
  • Last week, OCBC and business and development leaders outlined issues with Southern California Association of Government’s (SCAG) SoCal Greenprint. Regional mapping tools intended to improve the region should not threaten the ability to solve CA’s housing crisis by adding unnecessary legal and cost barriers, which what Greenprint will do without changes. Business voices dominated the hearing with the ask that SCAG limit the tool to open space / agricultural lands and use only data from government sources. Read our letter here and click here for more info.
COVID-19 FACTS
OCHCA'S LATEST UPDATES:
Residents should wear a mask in both indoor public and non-public settings, especially if they or someone they live with is immunocompromised or at increased risk. CDC recently issued a health advisory against the use of a prescription medication called ivermectin, normally used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites, to prevent or treat COVID-19. Currently, only third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being offered to individuals ages 12 and up receiving treatments associated with moderate to severe immune compromise. Learn more.
PFIZER IS FULLY FDA APPROVED - GET VACCINATED TODAY:
FDA approval could be the key to break through vaccine hesitancy and misinformation for unvaccinated workers. See below for effective messages that boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence.
  • On August 23, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older. The vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty. 
  • Full approval by the FDA means that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) now has the same level of approval as other vaccines routinely used in the U.S., such as vaccines for hepatitis, measles, chicken pox and polio. Full approval represents the FDA’s highest level of confidence in a drug’s safety and effectiveness.
  • FDA’s full approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine is an important milestone that should reassure anyone who has concerns about getting vaccinated.
  • Vaccines are free and widely available at more than 80,000 locations across the country, including at over 40,000 retail pharmacies. Ninety percent of Americans live within five miles of a vaccine site.
Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 for nearby locations.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
EMERGING POWERS AND THE WORLD TRADE SYSTEM:
  • Join World Affairs Council of Orange County (WACOC) on Oct. 7 to hear distinguished UCI Chancellor Professor, Dr. Gregory Shaffer, discuss what is developing behind the scenes of the business trade, his forthcoming book and original research! Register here.

GRANT FUNDING FOR CLEAN TRUCKS – APPLY NOW!
  • Are you in the goods movement industry? Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is accepting applications for the Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP), a grant with $10 million available for private operators to support the commercial deployment of natural gas, electric, and other clean technologies for heavy- and medium-duty trucks, equipment and fueling infrastructure. Applications due Sep. 22. Click here or email lmfp@scag.ca.gov for more information.

REGISTER FOR OC'S JOB FAIR:
  • Employers looking for quality talent can join OC 3rd District Job Fair on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free. Learn more and register.
TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT
YORBA LINDA WATER DISTRICT’S WELLS FARGO HELI-HYDRANT AND LANDING ZONE:
  • Yorba Linda Water District’s Wells Fargo Heli-Hydrant and Landing Zone, an innovative water tank and emergency landing pad for firefighting helicopters, is nominated for OCBC’s 11th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards! The heli-hydrant helps first responders save critical time by offering a strategically placed, quick-fill, pilot-operated water source that can fill in just minutes. This community safeguard was made possible by a land donation from Wells Fargo and strong public agency coordination. Do you know of a public agency policy, program or leader that is cutting through red tape, eliminating barriers to economic growth and supporting a resilient OC? Learn more and submit your nomination by September 3!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
EVENTS
Today! LEA Reception
August 31 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Formerly “Latino Educational Attainment,” LEA is now “Leading Educational Attainment for Families” as the program has expanded to meet the needs of Orange County’s ever-growing ethnic diversity. LEA changes the lives of hundreds of families every year by educating and empowering them to be active in their child’s educational attainment. Join OCBC virtually on August 31 to celebrate 17 years of helping these families succeed! Register for free here. Thank you title sponsor, SoCalGas.

2021 Orange County Community Indicators Report Rollout
September 16 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the release of the 2021-22 Community Indicators Report that tracks the region’s health, prosperity, and where the county is performing and making progress. Hear from Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC's Chief Economic Advisor, on a broad range of robust, data-rich reports that track issues of importance on a regular basis. Thank you title sponsor, Amazon.
Register today! For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
September 2 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for a meeting with Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

September 10 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually to discuss and take action on public policy issues that have a direct impact on the business community.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

September 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually to advocate for an infrastructure system critical to meeting the growing needs of Orange County’s residents and businesses.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

September 15 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the opportunity to hear Jim Mayfield, Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center-Orange County, discuss the impacts of the pandemic on trade in the Orange County and Southern California region and Treyland Bradley, Senior Business Development Specialist – Los Angeles Region, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development discuss California's pandemic business recovery programs.
OCBC members, register here.

*OCBC Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to OCBC members.
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.