The Leading Voice of Business
|
|
|
OCBC SACTO ADVOCACY, UCI HOSPITAL, VACCINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, OCBC LEGISLATIVE ACTION GUIDE & MORE! |
|
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
SAVE THE DATE: OCBC’S VIRTUAL SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY TRIP MARCH 30 AND 31:*
- Mark your calendars! OCBC will host its annual Sacramento Advocacy Trip virtually on March 30 and 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Last year, OCBC welcomed 14 speakers, including Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. Keep an eye out for a link to register and info on this year’s speakers!
URGENT – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST VACCINATION EFFORTS:*
-
OneOC’s Emergency Volunteer Center is in urgent need of both medical trained and general support volunteers to support vaccination sites. Sign up to volunteer here.
BOEING COMMITS TO 100% SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS BY 2030:*
-
Boeing set ambitious targets to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuels by 2030. Sustainable aviation fuels reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle. OCBC commends Boeing for their commitment to addressing climate change and reducing aviation carbon emissions. Read more.
ROUND 2 OPEN! APPLY FOR THE CA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT:*
-
Small businesses can apply for Round 2 of the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program starting now through February 8, 2021. Click here to learn more about how to apply. This is the final application window for the grant—don't miss out!
OC HEALTHCARE AGENCY VACCINE TASK FORCE MEETING COVERS LATEST VACCINE NUMBERS, SITE AVAILABILITY AND MORE:*
-
OCHCA Vaccine Taskforce met on January 21 and reviewed the latest data on vaccines, site availability and more. The PowerPoint from the meeting is available here and the latest information on vaccine distribution is available here.
JOIN OC REALTORS AND LUCY DUNN FOR REOPENING STRATEGY WEBINAR:*
-
On February 18, OC Realtors will host a webinar featuring Lucy Dunn, OCBC President and CEO, providing businesses with information to guide them towards reopening sooner and safer. Find out what strategies will set your business up for success! Register here.
|
|
ADVOCACY
OCBC PUBLISHES 2021-22 LEGISLATIVE ACTION GUIDE - A LOOK AT THE YEAR AHEAD:*
-
Take a look at OCBC’s new 2021-22 Legislative Action Guide! The Legislative Action Guide dictates OCBC’s advocacy at the local, state and federal levels and is developed with significant review and contributions from OCBC members to establish positions on major policy issues. This resource also includes contact information for the county’s local, state and federal elected officials to encourage dialogue between the business community and government.
HOUSING PERMIT REPORT CARD FINDS CA NOT ON TRACK TOWARDS BUILDING SUFFICIENT HOUSING:*
-
Southern California News Group released their housing permit record card, finding that only 3% of CA cities and counties are fully on track to build sufficient housing, and 30% are not issuing any permits for affordable housing. The average grade was a C-minus. Read more.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
CALTAX TO HOST WEBINAR ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENTS:*
-
On February 9, join CalTax Sales and Use Tax Technical Consultant Joan Armenta-Roberts, Randy Ferris (EY), Jeff Varga (Paul Hastings), and Susan Bittick (Ryan) for a discussion on California's sales tax treatment of technology transfer agreements, including a background on the Lucent decision and status of TTAs. Register here.
U.S. CHAMBER TO HOST WEBINAR ON FEDERAL UPDATES:*
-
U.S. Chamber will host a free webinar on February 4 at 2:00 p.m. discussing President Biden’s America Rescue Plan for COVID-19, the 117th Congress and the pathway to rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Jennings Imel, Executive Director of the Western Region for U.S. Chamber, will present. Register here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT UK PARTNERSHIPS AFTER BREXIT:
-
California-United Kingdom relations following the latter’s exit from the European Union will be the focus of an international virtual event hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. The special guest speaker will be Dr. Matt Beech, founding director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull and senior fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Register here.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
|
|
COVID-19 NEWS
OP-ED: INFLUENCERS, CELEBRITIES AND FOMO CAN WIN OVER VACCINE SKEPTICS:*
-
Imran S. Currim, UCI Distinguished Professor, professor of marketing, and Director, Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at the Paul Merage School of Business and others write, “Diffusion of innovations … offers a framework for increasing the number of people who are willing, if not eager, to get vaccinated. The central premise of the diffusion of innovations framework is that customer or patient segments that adopt early will influence later adopters. Innovators will influence early adopters, who then influence the early and late majority, who then influence the laggards.” Read more.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OCBC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH:*
-
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black achievements in history, culture, academics and business while reflecting on racial injustices and how we can make Orange County and the nation a more equitable place. Learn more about Black History Month here.
COUNTY OF ORANGE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY REOPENS FOUR REGIONAL CENTERS:*
-
The County of Orange Social Services Agency reopened four regional offices with limited functionality on Monday, providing OC residents with additional access to public assistance benefits and related services. Read more.
SANTA ANA ZOO NOW OPEN:*
-
Santa Ana Zoo is welcoming visitors again! Bring the family for a safe, outdoor educational experience. Click here to learn more about the Santa Ana Zoo.
COUNTY OF ORANGE LAUNCHES EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:*
-
The County of Orange is accepting applications for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program from renters who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. This will help households pay rent and utilities. Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine residents cannot apply for the County program, but can apply for their City’s programs. To learn more and apply, click here.
GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
DOWNTOWN DISNEY, RESTAURANTS REOPEN THIS WEEK:*
-
Downtown Disney restaurants are now open, and Disney California Adventure restaurants are set to reopen this Friday. The reopening of Disney California Adventure restaurants allows more than 200 employees to return to work. Read more.
OCTA NEW OPERATIONS CENTER IN ANAHEIM:*
-
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will build a new, $38 million Transit Security and Operations Center in Anaheim to serve as a hub for dispatching, transit security, information system technologies and emergency operations. Read more.
MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
OC Community: Support Your Local Business!
|
|
|
|
Support Local Restaurants!
|
|
|
|
Giving Back
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank
Basic supplies needed
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
|
|
New items are noted with an *
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
|
|
OCBC works to get you the best information in these difficult times fighting COVID-19, its health and economic impacts. Check your email often for important updates AND follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. In addition, check out the COVID-19 Resources page on OCBC.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
