• Except for Gov. Newsom’s California, every country where a Disney park is located has COLLABORATED with safe reopening guidelines and health protocols. SoCal stands to lose $8.5 billion in economic activity. OCBC and local leaders warned this would happen. When businesses can’t plan, working families suffer. Good health AND good business. Not one over the other.

• An increase of positive COVID-19 cases has kept Orange County from moving to the less-restrictive orange tier. #MaskUPToStayOpen

• With over 600,000 backlogged unemployment claims, the state will pause all incoming claims until October 5th.

• CWLA’s Annual Conference is October 13-14. Hear from former FOX anchor, author, and activist Gretchen Carlson; California's indomitable First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; political trailblazers Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and many more! OCBC’s Lucy Dunn serves on the board. Register today!

• SB 852 will reduce the cost of prescription drugs for taxpayers, employers and consumers. With a larger goal in mind, this bill takes California one step closer to the creation of Cal Rx- a state-sponsored generic prescription label. 

• The D23 Expo will be scheduled for September 9 -11, 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center. As Disney’s largest fan event, the expo promises to be a celebration like no other with exclusive insight on the 100^th anniversary plans for The Walt Disney Company, movie and television announcements, and additional park magic. 

• Today is the last day to complete the 2020 Census! Fill out your Census form now to help ensure a prosperous future with secured funds for local schools, healthcare, daycares and critical programs.

• The program no longer requires receipts uploads and the application takes less than 5 minutes! Help your favorite restaurant get a $5,000 grant!

• The City of Orange’s 2020 Virtual Partnership program raised funds to cover the cost of providing virtual safety and recreational programming for the newly created “Sunny Days Virtual Rec Center”. Donors received marketing benefits while supporting their community. Local partners, from billion-dollar companies to small businesses, partnered with the City of Orange. Total donations have exceeded $26,000 and were vital for implementing virtual recreation programs and special events enjoyed by over 5,500 people. Business partners are branded as leaders in the community and receive publicity through the City’s strong social media presence.

• OCBC joins over 2,300 organizations in continuing to urge Congress to pass COVID relief funding that includes 501(c)6’s in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Local chambers and industry associations are working harder than ever with less resources to support their business members through the pandemic and strategically plan for economic recovery.

• Join the Orange County Virtual Job Fair on Thursday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to meet the county’s best and the brightest jobseekers! Share your company’s involvement with the use of a complementary social media toolkit. #OCWorksTogether

• As California employees opt work remotely and move out of state, employers need to be aware of compliance issues. Legal counsel is advised to discuss minimum wage ordinances, workplace safety laws and liability, payroll tax deductions, and more. 

• On Wednesday, October 7- November 4 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., join Vital Link for its Alteryx Data Analysis Professional Development Workshop series. These complementary workshops will feature hands-on demos and training to equip participants to pass the Alteryx’s certification test. Sign up here.

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

• Here is what you need to know about the twenty-two most-discussed COVID-19 vaccines and their evaluations. 

• Today at 5:00 p.m. join OC Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley and election research experts to virtually discuss the safety of mail in ballots, political concerns on ballot harvesting, election results, and why some ballots do not get counted. Register here!

• Any public playground that is fully outdoors can reopen with the compliance of newly issued rules.

• On October 13-14, 2020, the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences welcomes innovators to its 2nd Annual Industry Showcase. This virtual, two-day showcase highlights the community and school's partnership to promote research and growth in machine learning, cybersecurity, software engineering, and human-computer interaction. Register today!

• On Friday, October 2 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Orange County Great Park, enjoy a night out with family and friends at the 19th Annual Irvine Global Village Festival. The festival will host on-site gourmet food trucks, free tacos from Taco Bell, arts and crafts, and live music from local Irvine students. 

• Idea Hall reimagines its brand to showcase the evolution of the award-winning communications agency and its integrated digital marketing services. The brand revamp includes an updated agency logo that embodies the brands ‘focus’ with an icon similar to a camera viewfinder, brand messaging that reflects the company’s good work promise, and a redesigned website and owned-channels. With clients in diverse sectors, the brand refresh represents Idea Hall's precision and customized approach for all clients.  

• For the fourth time, University of California, Irvine receives top honors from Sierra magazine’s annual ‘Cool Schools’ ranking of sustainability leaders. UCI holds the title spot at No. 1 for its trailblazing leadership in eco-friendly campus practices and cutting-edge sustainability research. In addition, UCI’s commitment to a sustainable future is met with the construction of 20 LEED Platinum buildings and 46% of the school’s vehicles powered by hybrid or alternative fuels. These efforts were acknowledged in the 2020 Green Fleet Awards and honored UCI with the 10TH- greenest fleet of vehicles in the nation. 

• 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.