The Leading Voice of Business
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THIS WEEK IN ORANGE COUNTY |
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Ball Visited D.C. to Stress OC's Currently Priority Needs |
During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Council President and CEO Jeff Ball met with Orange County Representative Young Kim and other members of Congress. While in the Capitol, Jeff focused his meeting discussions on the importance of Orange County receiving an appropriate share of recently passed infrastructure spending, the overall business environment since many COVID-related restrictions have finally been lifted and the Council’s renewed focus on economic growth for the region. He also discussed the impact of inflation, supply chain delays and the significant staffing challenges facing the local business community. |
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OCBC's CEO Emeritus Urges CEQA Reform in CalMatters |
Lucy Dunn, the Council’s CEO Emeritus, co-authored (with Tracey Hernandez, Founding CEO, BizFed and Jennifer Hernandez, Partner, Holland & Knight) a guest commentary for CalMatters detailing abuses of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which hinder new housing through “endless litigation, rising costs and counter-productive delays.” While the exclusion of UC Berkeley’s incoming students on the basis of CEQA has spurred national conversation, Dunn and co-authors observe CEQA’s track record of redlining. They emphasize that, instead of exemptions, “we need real reform for real people.” And note that the latest so-called fix, budget trailer bill SB 118, only preserves CEQA and does nothing to protect the 83 private colleges and universities in California enrolling more than 250,000 students. This is another Band-Aid solution for a festering wound. |
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ICYMI: Check Out the New and Improved LocationOC.com |
LocationOC.com is the Council's website dedicated to attracting prospective businesses to Orange County. The site showcases many of the benefits the county offers to companies looking to move or expand their operations here, including the strength of the local workforce, education systems, health care networks, ethnic diversity, array of attractions, and more. The site relaunched this week with a new look and feel following several months of thoughtful redevelopment to update and beautify the content throughout the site. Check it out! |
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ICYMI: OCBC Signs Letter to Governor on Key Budget Priorities |
The Council’s President and CEO Jeff Ball recently joined a state-wide group of regional and industry leaders to announce key budget and policy priorities for the governor and state legislature. In a letter issued to Gov. Newsom last week, the organizations outlined the need for investment in equitable economic recovery that allows businesses of all sizes to re-hire CA workers and re-build CA's economy as the fifth largest in the world. The letter also outlines the business community’s priorities for both this year’s budget proposal and overarching policy proposals that can help give businesses the tools to expedite economic recovery and transition to job growth. Read more.
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Cox Enhances Broadband Affordability Program |
Cox will double the download speed of its low-cost internet options ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps, effective March 31, 2022, helping more than 500,000 individuals to receive faster speeds at no additional cost! Cox is also participating in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and has expanded eligibility for its low-cost internet program! Learn more.
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Pacific Symphony's Musical Tribute to Ukraine |
Pacific Symphony believes that music has the power to unite all in peace. The orchestra embodies the sentiment of Leonard Bernstein, who famously said: “This will be our reply to violence—to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” Last week the orchestra performed a contemplative spiritual anthem “Prayer for Ukraine.”
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You won’t want to miss OCBC's 2022 Annual Dinner on April 7! Join us at Disneyland Resort to hear insights on the importance of embracing change from former NASA astronaut, Mike Massimino, welcome OCBC's new President and CEO, Jeff Ball, recognize the leadership of 2021 Board Chair, Jena Jensen, install 2022 Board Chair, Dave Bartlett, and wish Lucy Dunn well in her retirement!
A special thank you our sponsors! Title Sponsor: The Orange County Register; Platinum Sponsor: Amazon; VIP Reception Sponsor: UCI; Gold Sponsors: Brookfield Properties, Disneyland Resort, Experian and FivePoint Holdings, LLC; Silver Sponsors: AAA, Bank of America, The Boeing Company, BIA-SC, City of Hope Orange County, HNTB, JPMorgan Chase, Kaiser Permanente, Ontario International Airport, SDG&E, SoCalGas, Southern California Edison and U.S. Bank; and Bronze Sponsors, American Career College & West Coast University West Coast University, Anaheim Public Utilities, AT&T, CalOptima, Cal State Fullerton, Charter Communications, Chevron, Cox Business, CSUF College of Business, Curt Pringle & Associates, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Goodwill of Orange County, Idea Hall, Jamboree, LSA, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, MemorialCare, Nossaman LLP, Orange County Department of Education, Rancho Mission Viejo, SCAG, South Orange County Community College District, Transportation Corridor Agencies, Tri Pointe Homes, University of Massachusetts Global, UPS, Verizon, Wells Fargo and WSP USA.
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OCBC's Chairman's Leadership Breakfast featuring Nicole Suydam
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Join OCBC on Tuesday, May 3, at The Cove at UCI for the first Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast of the 2022 series featuring Nicole Suydam, President and CEO, Goodwill of Orange County. |
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OCBC Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to OCBC members.
Click the committee meeting link to learn more about the specific topics and issues that will be covered and any special guest speakers.
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April 12
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
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April 13
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
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May 6
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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OCBC COMMITTEE MEETING RECAP |
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Economic Development: Today's Employee Retention |
On March 16, the Economic Development Committee hosted Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC’s Chief Economic Advisor, and Cyndi Karapogosian, District President for Robert Half, who discussed the ongoing labor shortages and how employers can recruit and retain necessary talent. Some great takeaways: nearly 33% of employers want their employees back in the office full-time while almost 60% of employees want the option to work remotely, 40% of employees are rejecting job offers that don't include work schedule flexibility, the top reasons employees are quitting their jobs are because they do not feel valued by the organization and/or their manager, and a healthy company culture plays the most significant role in mitigating talent losses within an industry. For more information or a recording of the meeting, please contact Jesse Ben-Ron at jbenron@ocbc.org.
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NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! |
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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.
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