The Leading Voice of Business
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 | View as Webpage
SOCAL TO VEGAS HIGH SPEED RAIL, SHANGHAI DISNEY EXPANDS OPENING, OC FAIR FOOD TO GO, AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
HIGH-SPEED RAIL FROM LA TO VEGAS SECURES ADDITIONAL FUNDING*
  • Miami-based Brightline Trains received $200 million in private activity bonds from the Nevada State Board of Finance to help fund its planned 170-mile high-speed rail line between downtown Las Vegas and Victorville. The funds are in addition to a $600 million bond award from California announced in April.

WHAT SHANGHAI DISNEY’S SECOND PHASE MEANS FOR DISNEYLAND RESORT:*
  • Shanghai Disneyland's second phase of reopening is projected to serve as Disneyland Resort’s reopening blueprint. The second phase includes the return of fireworks, increased capacity limits and loosened attendance restrictions. Read more.

LOOKING FOR A SAFE RESTAURANT? CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE OC RESTAURANTS WHO RECEIVED A #SafeDineOC GRANT!:
  • Restaurants who are awarded a #SafeDineOC $1,000 grant are featured on running list of restaurants that create a safe environment for their staff and patrons! View the list. 

LYFT AND UBER HALT CALIFORNIA SUSPENSION:*
  • "We are glad that the court of appeals recognized the important questions raised in this case, and that access to these critical services won't be cut off while we continue to advocate for drivers' ability to work with the freedom they want," Uber said in a statement. Read more.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE DONATION:* 
  • Join the American Red Cross On Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Huntington Beach Central Library to donate blood. All blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Sign up here.

THE WORKPLACE PODCAST- REMOTE WORK: WORKERS’ COMP LIABILITY:* 
  • Hear from CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and workers’ compensation expert Randy Pollak on workers’ compensation trends, and the liabilities of employees’ remote workView written recap & podcast.

SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS! SHARE THE SafeDineOC PROGRAM TODAY!:*
  • Qualifying restaurants will receive a $1,000 grant after completing a five minute application. Learn more.
ADVOCACY UPDATES
JOB KILLER BILL IMPOSES BURDENS ON SMALL BUSINESS:*
  • SB 1383, labeled as a “Job Killer” by California Chamber of Commerce, would harm small businesses at the worst possible time by requiring any employer with 5 or more employees to provide 12-weeks of protected leave each year subjecting them to potential litigation for unintentional mistakes. Urge your Assemblymember to vote NO!

REGISTER FOR DAY 2 OF OCBC'S WASHINGTON, D.C. VIRTUAL ADVOCACY SUMMIT AND HEAR FROM NATIONAL LEADERS!:*
  • During the first day of meetings OCBC spoke with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia and many others, COVID-19 relief negotiations, protections for business and the November election were top of mind. Don't miss Day 2 with Congresswoman Katie Porter and Congressman Harley Rouda on Friday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. Register Today!

ECONOMIC RECOVERY
TOWNHALL - CITY OF IRVINE TALKS COVID-19 RESPONSE:*
  • Join Irvine’s Mayor Christina L. Shea and Vice Mayor Mike Carroll for a Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, September 8 at 2 p.m. to discuss Irvine’s action and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents may submit questions via registration.

OC REMOVED FROM STATE WATCHLIST:
  • OC is no longer on the state’s coronavirus watchlist. According to county and state data, it now meets the lower threshold for hospitalizations and testing positivity rate.

BUSINESS RESOURCES:
WEBINAR- CRUCIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISORS & MANAGERS:*
  • Attend a 4 part series brought to you by the Rancho Santiago Community College District for your managers or supervisors to learn how to foster an environment of innovation, problem-solving, and positive change. More information on the program can be found here.

BECOME A BUSINESS CENSUS CHAMPION!:*
  • With the census count ending at the end of September, it is critical that Orange County get every resident to fill out the census to we received the funding and representation we deserve. With free posters, banners, and toolkits from ReadyNation to generate awareness to employees and customers, be highlighted in ReadyNation’s Business Census Champion Social Media campaign.

CAL STATE FULLERTON VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP & CAREER EXPO:
  • The Cal State Fullerton Career Center's Fall 2020 Virtual Internship & Career Expo is open for employer registration now. They invite you to engage with their students to scout for talent or recruit at this event. The event is Thursday, September 17, 2020. Register Here.

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES:
COVID-19 NEWS:
VACCINE CANDIDATES & COUNTRIES UNITE FOR VACCINE GLOBAL ACCESS FACILITY:*
  • COVAX is the first global initiative that works with government and vaccine manufacturers to secure COVID-19 vaccines for both higher-income and lower-income countries worldwide.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO GET FLU SHOT, EXPERTS SAY:
  • According to public health experts, it’s vital to get the flu shot this year. If enough Americans get vaccinated, it could reduce the chances of hospitals becoming overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and influenza patients.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND UPDATES
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR FOOD DRIVE-THRU:*
  • Enjoy your favorite fair foods at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on Fridays-Saturdays from noon- 8p.m. and Sundays from noon- 6 p.m.

THE COUNTY OF ORANGE LAUNCHES EARN AND LEARN PROGRAM:

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: 
UCI CREATES BLACK THRIVING INSTITUTE TO EXPAND CAMPUS DIVERSITY:*
  • UCI announces ambitious plan to increase the number of Black Students and Faculty. UCI has announced the creation of the Black Thriving Institute to expand teaching about the Black experience by hiring 10 new faculty. They will also make a concerted effort to boost the black student population at the University. 
 
COX EXPANDS COMMITMENT TO BRIDGING THE LEARNING DIVIDE:*
  • In efforts to support low-income families and teacher learning from home, COX has rolled out a multitude of relief opportunities for the Connect2Compete program through June 30, 2021. The expansion includes the suspension of late fees, flexible payment arrangements, no deposit or application fees, partnership with cities and schools districts to contact low-income students to wifi, and more. 

241/91 EXPRESS CONNECTOR PROJECT ENTERS FINAL DESIGN PHASE, MARKING IMPORTANT PROJECT MILESTONE:
  • The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Board of Directors has advanced the contracted engineering work to complete the 241/91 Express Connector Project’s final design phase. The phase is anticipated to last until 2022, with construction expected to commence in 2023 and completion scheduled for 2025. The 241/91 Express Connector will be a direct flyover ramp from the northbound 241 Toll Road to the eastbound 91 Express Lanes and from the westbound 91 Express Lanes to the southbound 241 Toll Road. The connector will provide improved connectivity between the 91 Express Lanes and the 241 Toll Road and will enhance traffic operations for State Route 91’s general purpose lanes and the northbound 241 Toll Road.

WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC:

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.
RESOURCES
New items are noted with an *
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
contact James Alley, at 714.501.9893 or jalley@ocbc.org.
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 our COVID-19 Resources page on OCBC.org.