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Tuesday, September 7, 2021 | View as Webpage
OCTAX HONORS DUNN WITH ROYALTY AWARD, OC COMMUNITY INDICATORS, NO TO AB1395, CRITICAL COVID-19 FACTS AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DUNN HONORED WITH OC TAXPAYERS ASSN. ROYALTY AWARD:
  • OC Taxpayers Association announces that its annual Royalty Award will be made to OCBC's President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, at its annual dinner meeting Oct. 7 at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. The award recognizes Dunn and OCBC for effective protection of taxpayer funds including the SafeDineOC program, which helped some of the hardest hit restaurants during the pandemic, as well as ensuring billions of tax dollars are returned to OC for water and transportation projects, including supporting the renewal of Measure M. Learn more.

2021-22 ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY INDICATORS REPORT ROLLOUT:
  • Join OCBC virtually on Sept. 16 for the release of the 2021-22 OC Community Indicators Report, which tracks the region’s health and prosperity and shows where the county is performing well and making progress. Hear from Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC's Chief Economic Advisor, on how the COVID-19 pandemic's "lost year" will impact OC's economy, which pandemic-driven shifts in consumer behavior will last beyond 2021, how the rise of remote work affects OC’s housing and labor markets and much more! A special thank you to our report and event partners, CalOptima, First 5 Orange County, Orange County Community Foundation and Orange County United Way. Thanks to our partner and sponsor support, attendance is complimentary. Register today!

BARRERA APPOINTED NEW CALCHAMBER CEO:
  • OCBC congratulates Jennifer Barrera, Executive Vice President of California Chamber of Commerce, for her appointment as CalChamber’s next President and CEO. OCBC looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with Barrera and CalChamber working toward improving California’s business climate and economic success. Barrera will assume the leadership role on Oct. 1, 2021. More information.
OCBC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Psomas recently renewed its OCBC membership, increasing its investment from Bronze to Silver Member level and gaining additional benefits with research, strategy and presentations and at OCBC events. Psomas is an engineering and construction company with a deep understanding of their clients' businesses. They always anticipate the opportunities and challenges ahead and develop innovative solutions to ensure their projects' success. Psomas emphasizes supporting and professionally nourishing their employees, creating an environment where ideas can flourish through teamwork and mentorship. Contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer, to learn more about the perks of an OCBC membership.
ADVOCACY
EDD REFORMS SENT TO GOVERNOR:
  • OCBC supports the Governor sign AB 110, a bill by OC Assemblymembers Cottie Petrie-Norris and Phillip Chen, passed unanimously by the State Senate and Assembly. The bill requires the Employment Development Department (EDD) to cross-check incarceration records with the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prevent paying fraudulent benefits. EDD has failed to detect and prevent as much as $31 billion in fraud by inmates ineligible for unemployment benefits. AB 110 helps curtail organized fraud schemes.

OCBC OPPOSES OVERLY BROAD CLIMATE GOALS:
  • While OCBC supports efforts by businesses and governments to mitigate the effects of climate change, those efforts must be scientific, targeted and work in tandem with California’s economy. AB 1395, a bill aiming to achieve 90% emissions reductions by 2045, threatens to shut down numerous vital industry sectors while providing no guidance on pathways to feasibly achieve this target. The bill’s ambitious goals needs considerably more clarity on how to achieve carbon neutrality before it can be seriously considered. Read the oppose letter here.
COVID-19 FACTS
OCHCA'S LATEST UPDATES:
OC Health Care Agency urges residents to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
  • Get vaccinated if you are not yet fully vaccinated
  • Wear a mask indoors
  • Avoid crowded areas and events, especially indoors
  • Maintain physical distancing in poorly ventilated areas
  • Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly
  • Avoid traveling if you are unvaccinated
  • Get tested if you are exposed to or experience symptoms of COVID-19

These precautions help protect others who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19, particularly those who are immune compromised, at increased risk of severe disease, not fully vaccinated, or not yet eligible for vaccination (children under age 12). Learn more.
TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT
CITY OF CYPRESS’ BUSINESS RECOVERY PROGRAM:
  • City of Cypress’ $500,000 Business Recovery Program (BRP) is nominated for the Business Retention and Expansion Award! BRP waives plan check, permit and inspection fees for existing or new businesses. BRP provides businesses with up to $20,000 in support and will incentivize investments in Cypress for the next two years. Businesses automatically benefit from BRP when they begin the permitting process. Which nominees will win this year’s prestigious awards? Find out Nov. 4 from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Details to come!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
NTIA GRANT OPPORTUNITY CONNECTING MINORITY COMMUNITIES:

IRVINE'S COOL CITY CHALLENGE:
  • City of Irvine is seeking 200 community members to volunteer as Cool Block leaders as part of their Cool City Challenge to secure $1M in grant funding and technical assistance for climate action. If you are looking for a way to make a meaningful impact on climate change, this is your chance. More information is available on the City's Climate Moonshot website, and you can contact EnvironmentalPrograms@cityofirvine.org with any questions or to sign up as a volunteer. 

ANNUAL UCI INSTITUTE FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
  • Join the UCI Institute for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion virtually on Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. to hear renowned scholar, Dr. Mahrazin Banaji, provide a keynote address and conversations with UCI leadership to discuss resiliency and how to move forward with inclusion. Register here.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
PROVIDENCE ANNOUNCES $220M WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS:
  • Providence is funding numerous programs to recognize current employees and rapidly fill open positions. This includes a $1,000 bonus for all caregivers in recognition of their service, highly competitive sign-on bonuses to job candidates to fill 17,000 job openings, and caregiver referral bonuses. Thank you, Providence, for your commitment to supporting healthcare heroes. Read the announcement. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
EVENTS
2021 Workforce Development Conference
October 7 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the 2021 Workforce Development Conference to hear how Orange County leaders are strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, how childcare impacts employees, some of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and much more!
Thank you, Title Sponsor, Union Bank; Gold Sponsors, Amazon and California State University, Fullerton; and Silver Sponsor, Wells Fargo.
For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

CSUF/OCBC 27th Annual Economic Forecast Conference
October 20 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join OCBC and California State University, Fullerton virtually for the 27th Annual Economic Forecast Conference: A Brave New World – Resiliency, Recovery and Reflation on October 20! You won’t want to miss critical economic insight presented by Dr. Anil Puri and Dr. Mira Farka, CSUF. Thank you Title Sponsor, U.S. Bank, Platinum Sponsor, Commercial Bank of California, and Gold Sponsor, Wells Fargo. Thanks to our incredible sponsors, this event is complimentary to attend. Register today! For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
September 10 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually to hear from Congresswoman Katie Porter and County of Orange Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich.
OCBC members, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager, to register.

September 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for a meeting with Jim Herberg, General Manager of Orange County Sanitation District, for a briefing on OC San’s capital improvement program and other updates.
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.