• Yesterday, So Cal Association of Govts, cover 5 So Cal counties, unanimously approved its 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) or “Connect SoCal,” which is the long-range vision for housing, transportation and climate change. After months of working on problematic components of the plan, the business community secured important clarity on future growth and protections for local control over land use and housing development decisions. Read the plan!

• The City of Santa Ana has taken an important step to reduce housing shortages with a revised amendment presented by the Building Industry Association of Southern California. In a 5-2 vote, the $15 in-lieu fee for multifamily complexes will now be reduced to $5. OCBC applauds this win that will benefit low- and middle-income residents.

• "Housing is Key" provide information and resources to renters and landlords. No tenant can be evicted before Feb. 2021 if he has experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. Landlords are still entitled to back rent. The campaign targets California’s most vulnerable communities and issue digital materials and social media ads in various languages. 

• If you missed OCBC Economic Development Forum Part 3: Innovative Technology to Unleash OC’s Energy Evolution, don't miss a recap video with all the highlights! Hear from CA Public Utilities Commission, SCE and SoCalGas!

• Small businesses in need of immediate financial relief may apply for LISC Small Business Relief Grants. Deadline is Monday, September 7. Apply here.

• Qualifying restaurants will receive a $1,000 grant after completing a five minute application. Learn more.

• In lieu of its annual trip to the nation’s Capital, OCBC hosted a virtual Washington, D.C. Advocacy Summit on August 24 and August 28. Over 140 members joined 11 federal leaders to hear the latest updates and advocate for OC’s priorities. Download OCBC's 2020 Washington. D.C. Program & Policy Guide for more information. 

• Nearly every speaker, detailed below, emphasized the importance for Congress, the Senate and the White House to find common ground and pass the next phase of coronavirus aid to course correct the economic downturn by supporting American businesses and families. Also at risk is a September 30 government shutdown if Congress does not act on the budget. OCBC urges you to contact your representatives. The time to work together is now.

• CONGRESSWOMAN KATIE PORTER underscored the economic challenges front and center to the COVID-19 recovery efforts and the importance of reaching a phase 4 stimulus agreement to direct much needed support to businesses, state and local government, child care, social services, education and the many other critical community sectors. She highlighted her continued efforts on making free COVID testing widely available.

• CONGRESSMAN HARLEY ROUDA discussed the need for adapting our future policies to reflect increased tele-working, tele-learning, and tele-medicine trends that will likely remain post-COVID. He, like Rep. Porter, discussed needed changes at the USPS and shed light on the Postal Service’s financially burdensome healthcare benefit requirements. Building on the DC Summit’s theme of collaboration, Rep. Rouda commended the leadership strength of OC’s business community and encouraged members to continue to raise diverse viewpoints.

• ICYMI, Day 1 of the DC Summit featured U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia among many others. Secretary Scalia recognized America’s outstanding periods of job growth at all levels pre-COVID and described his focus on protecting workers, supporting the unemployed, and now rebuilding the economy. The Secretary is playing a key role supporting the Trump Administration’s plan to bring jobs back and leverage the ingenuity and innovation in the private sector as the vehicle for guiding us through the recovery. Secretary Scalia also highlighted the passage of the USMCA as essential for bringing jobs back and rebuilding America’s manufacturing economy.

• On Tuesday, September 29 at 10 a.m., join Success Coach and Speaker Holly Jean Jackson to overcome what the World Health Organization categorizes as a sleep loss epidemic. Learn strategies to promote better sleep, the three biggest sleep challenges, and why sleep is critical for good business. Register here.

• On Thursday, September 17, join cyber experts: Jon Clay, Director of Global Threat Communications, Trend Micro; Mitchel Chang, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Education, Trend Micro; and Kristin Judge, CEO, Cybercrime Support Network to hear top-level counsel on cybercrime defense. Register here.

• CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law experts Bianca Saad and Matthew Roberts conduct an in-depth discussion on the best practices and obstacles with vacation policies for Californian employers. Listen here.

• Small Business Development Center
• SBDC Resources for Small Businesses
• Go-BIZ FAQ for Small Businesses
• UCI Free Small Business Toolkit

• CDC Director, Dr. Robert Redfield asks governors to fast-track permits and licenses for fully operational vaccine distribution sites by November 1st. 

• “We certainly are not wanting to wait back and just let people get infected so that you can develop herd immunity,” Fauci said. “That’s certainly not my approach.” Continue reading.

• The city sponsored, Kids Factory drop-in distance program provides children grades 1-6 access to WIFI in an outdoor, supervised setting. Session are available with required registration. Enroll your child here. 

• The community of Santa Ana will host garage and yard sales from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6. Social distancing and face mask are required.

• The OC Fairgrounds will host drive-in concerts through the weekend of September 25-27. View concert line-up.

• Enjoy Labor Day with classic dishes and desserts from the OC Fair Food Drive-Thru in Lot G. View Menu.

• San Diego Gas & Electric employees have sewed and distributed over 2,800 face covers for field employees and community members. This action was sparked with a volunteer employee virtual sewing circle and have been received across the company and nonprofits that aid low-income families with children who receive cancer treatments. 

• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has provided nearly 42,000 telehealth visits for its patients. This number has drastically increased since July 2019 to mid-March 2020 of only 182 telehealth visits. CHOC Children’s elevated telehealth services is due to technology upgrades, physician training videos, satisfaction surveys, and the optimism to replicate the in-person experience. 

• Businesses with fleets in Southern California can receive resources, funding, and expertise to easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure that supports medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs). To learn how to take advantage of these resources, join a complimentary webinar hosted by Southern California Edison and ACT News, to hear from industry experts on how to build EV charging infrastructure that is optimized and compatible with your unique operations, while mitigating costly project delays. Also, hear from fleet managers at Penske Transportation Solutions and Parking Concepts to see real-world benefits and usage of EVs that can help your fleet overcome common barriers to electrification. Register here to join the webinar on Thursday, September 10th at 10 a.m.

• Anaheim Convention Center Test Site: Appointments Required.
• Testing Basics: COVID-19 Test Options.
• Free testing in OC: How to access.
• DO IT! Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you. 
• OC Testing Sites: Appointment & walk-in resources.
• Public & private sector testing: Contact your provider today.
• COVID-19 Hotline: For general questions & information call: (714)-834-2000.
• OC Health Care Agency: Data Dashboard featuring confirmed COVID-19 cases.