The Leading Voice of Business
Thursday, July 15, 2021 | View as Webpage
IN-PERSON HEALTH CARE FORUM, YES TO MORE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, NOMINATE A PUBLIC AGENCY, PARTICIPATE IN REDISTRICTING AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
REGISTER TODAY! OCBC'S HEALTH CARE FORUM
 
SCE'S CHARGE READY TO EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF EV CHARGING STATIONS
  • Southern California Edison's (SCE) new Charge Ready program provides financial incentives, infrastructure, and technical support to commercial, public sector, and multifamily property owners to offer electric vehicle (EV) fueling for passenger vehicles. Charge Ready aims to add 38,000 EV charging ports across the region. Learn more.

REGISTER TODAY AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION! CLB FEATURING GREG SEIBLY:
  • Virtually join OCBC on July 21 at 8 a.m. for the second event in the 2021 Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Greg Seibly, President, Head of Regional Banking, Union Bank. Hear exclusive insights on the effects of record home prices, the pandemic’s substantial impact on minority- and women-owned small businesses, how Union Bank is addressing social and racial injustice amplified by the pandemic, and more! Register for free today. 

OCBC NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET AWARDS: 
  • 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? OCBC can honor them at the 11th Annual Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards on November 4! The Awards recognize tireless work of local agencies and governments, including cities, special districts, educational institutions and more. Learn more and submit your nomination. For questions, please contact Connor Medina.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
GOODWILL OC RENEWS HOPE FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS:
  • Recently highlighted in an OC Register article, Goodwill OC’s Employment WORKS program provides support and job placement services for adults who have been diagnosed with persistent mental illness but are actively involved in their treatment and want to be gainfully employed. Now in its 15th year, EWORKS operates under contract with OC Health Care Agency providing job placement services for about 325 adults annually.

UCI’S COVID-19 TEST HAS RECORD BREAKING SPEED:  
  • UCI’s John Chaput – professor of pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, and molecular biology and biochemistry – and Ph.D. student Kefan Yang recently developed REVEALR, which offers an easy-to-use platform for detecting COVID-19 that has a one-hour turnaround time and is cost-effective. Read more. 
ADVOCACY
OCBC OPPOSES SB 12—NO NEW HOUSING REGS:
  • Last week, OCBC testified in opposition to SB 12, a bill that would further impede efforts to solve the statewide housing crisis by curtailing opportunities for renters and homebuyers. The bill would add new regulations and burdens on new housing and render many pending projects infeasible. Read the op-ed on how this bill harms Californians by OCBC's Lucy Dunn, BIASC and BizFed LA.  Thank you, OC Register!
OCBC JOINS COALITION TO AMEND ONEROUS HOSPITAL SEISMIC MANDATES:
  • OCBC, hospitals and business organizations statewide are calling on the Legislature to amend the state’s outdated mandate requiring hospitals to meet infeasible and unreasonable earthquake preparedness standards. Hospitals have spent billions to ensure their buildings can withstand an earthquake, but the state’s seismic mandate could force hospitals to close their doors. OCBC is asking for the standards to be reevaluated and delayed by seven years.

OCBC SUPPORTS BILL CLOSING DIGITAL DIVIDE:
  • OCBC recently testified in support of SB 556, a bill that helps bring high-speed internet to more communities. SB 556 is a critical step towards expediting the deployment of broadband infrastructure to connect students, businesses and residents living in areas where broadband options are limited. The Assembly Communications & Conveyance Committee voted to advance the bill yesterday. Thank you to Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva for voting yes!
BUSINESS RESOURCES
SCHMOOZE IT UP IN SANTA ANA:

APPLY FOR THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: 
  • Department of Commerce is seeking applications for the United States Investment Advisory Council (IAC). This council serves as a key conduit for stakeholder input on how best to support U.S. economic growth through the attraction and retention of foreign direct investment (FDI). Learn more.  
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
TOMORROW! OC FAIR RETURNS: 
  • OC Fair springs back to action this Friday, July 16. The awaited reopening comes with many upgrades like an earlier start time and a full slate of concerts that you don’t want to miss! With attendance limited, tickets must be purchased in advanced for certain days. Buy tickets now! OC Fair is an economic development powerhouse for the county!

PARTICIPATE IN OC REDISTRICTING:
  • The County of Orange will use the latest census data to redraw district lines to maintain balance based on local population changes. Participate in the redistricting process through upcoming workshops starting on July 27. Learn more.

PUBLIC SAFETY EXECUTIVE FORUM AND SHOWCASE:
  • Join Chula Vista Fire Department and FirstNet, Built with AT&T, on July 21 at 9:00 a.m. at Chula Vista City Hall to learn about FirstNet public safety solutions, hear best practices from public safety leaders and experience hands-on technology demos. RSVP to Kristi.Mercado@att.com.

SAVE THE DATE! OCDE PRESENTS WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
  • Join OC Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares on July 21 at 2 p.m. for an online  colloquium on ethnic studies featuring distinguished education leaders who will define ethnic studies and discuss CA’s model curriculum.  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE GIRL SCOUTS CHALLENGE CUP:
  • Join Girl Scouts of Orange County for the Challenge Cup, an exclusive experience that captures the spirit of Girl Scouting and adventure. Teams of four adults will compete in an afternoon of exciting challenges, culminating in a luau buffet and awards presentation. Save the date: Sunday, September 26. Email Addy Lerner to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
EVENTS
Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast featuring Greg Seibly
July 21 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the second event in the 2021 Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Greg Seibly, President, Head of Regional Banking, Union Bank. Hear from Greg on the effects of record home prices, the pandemic’s substantial impact on minority- and women-owned small businesses, how Union Bank is addressing social and racial injustice amplified by the pandemic, and more!
Register for free here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

Health Care Forum
August 17 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join OCBC in person or virtually for insights on the resilience and transformation of health care as a result of the pandemic. Don’t miss hearing from OC’s leading health care experts! Special thanks to title sponsor, City of Hope Orange County! Thank you to all our incredible sponsors: Providence, MemorialCare, UCI Health, Ontario International Airport, and West Coast University.
Register today to secure your seat! For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
August 4 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Hear from major employers in Orange County on how to construct a DE&I plan and how to hold yourself accountable through metrics and benchmarks. 
OCBC members, register here.

August 11 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Featuring a discussion with Ian Williamson, Dean of UCI Paul Merage School of Business and Sridhar Sundaram, Dean of CSUF College of Business and Economics.
To register, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP, Workforce and Economic Development.

*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.