• After ordering all salons to cease operation last week, Governor Newsom has reversed the decision and will allow salons to operate outdoors. OCBC thanks Assmeblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for proposing the change. Read her letter to the governor.

• Schools will not be allowed to open for in-person instruction if the schools reside in a county that has been on the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list for the prior 14 days. Orange County is one of those affected. For more info click here and read the California Department of Health’s New guidelines.

• On Tuesday, August 4, OCBC is hosting a virtual forum on the significant impact 5G technology will have on transforming the way we live, work educate and play. Hear from industry experts how this technology is critical for our businesses, schools and cities to realize the future. Register today!

• OCBC is honored to host Kimberly Reed, Chair of Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of the United States. EXIM helps American businesses get the funding they need to export their products. Don’t miss out on hearing from this national representative on August 5. Please RSVP to Alice Park.

• In a recent statement, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield noted that the public can control the spread of COVID-19 within 4 to 8 weeks with widespread usage of masks. Read more!

• All six lanes – three in each direction – of Oso Parkway at the 241 Toll Road are open to drivers, marking a significant construction milestone for the Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides are also open. Read more!

• Don't miss a special message from OC Fair CEO, Michele Richards, inviting you to the join in the festivities. The video features OCBC's own Natalie Rubalcava! Watch here.

• OCBC wishes Disneyland Resort a happy 65th birthday! On Friday, July 17, Disneyland Resort celebrated 65 years of magic. In honor of this historic milestone, join Walt Disney and cast for a special rendition of Walt’s opening day dedication.

• Drive through COVID-19 testing is available Wednesday - Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and is made possible through a public-partnership between County of Orange, 360 Clinic, and City of Anaheim. Book your appointment today.

• OC Supervisor Andrew Do's COVID Safe Restaurant Program unanimously approved by the OC Board of Supervisors, awards qualified restaurants with $1,000 in CARES Act funding for complying with, and publicly posting, their checklist and attestation. Application coming soon.

• 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.

• OCBC will be hosting a virtual advocacy summit July 27 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Don’t miss your chance to discuss OC's priorities with top-level legislators and state officials. Confirmed speakers include Lieutenant Governor Elieni Kounalakis; Secretary of State Alex Padilla; Treasurer Fiona Ma; Senate Education Chair Connie Leyva; Assembly Utilities and Energy Chair Chris Holden; Senate Housing Chair Scott Wiener; State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel; Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin; and others. Open to OCBC members only. Members can register HERE. To learn more about membership, contact Natalie Rubalcava.

• On Friday, the State of California released its most recent unemployment data. Employers added 558,200 non-farm jobs bringing California’s unemployment rate down to 14.9% from 16.4% the month prior. Orange County gained 71,600 jobs in the month of June bringing the unemployment rate down to 13.7 % from 14% the month before. Nearly every sector grew employment with the exception of educational services and government.

• Cal State Fullerton Virtual Career Expo for Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 are now available for employer registration. With over 40,000 students from eight colleges and over 109 academic programs, CSUF offers an exceptional talent pool to help most employers find a good fit with their professional staffing needs. For more information, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP of Workforce and Economic Development. Register here.

• Wells Fargo $400 million Open for Business Fund will be awarded to CDFI's who can demonstrate an ability to support Black and African American-owned small businesses. The deadline to apply is August 7, 2020. Apply today!

• Join HB Chamber and California Retailers Association for a virtual luncheon on July 22. Featuring Kelly Miller, CEO of Visit HB and Rachel Michelin, President, California Retailers Association. Register today!

• Tax Credits and Exemptions
• Site Selection and Incentive Navigation
• Workforce Development Funding and Training Resources
• Technical Assistance and Resources for Small Businesses

• Join USC's popular “Sales Mindset for Entrepreneurs” sales speakers, Garrett Brown and Colin Coggins on July 23 at 12 p.m. for a conversation on how to close a sale amid COVID-19, how sales teams continue to grow through remote work, and the rare sales opportunity COVID-19 has presented. Register here.

• On August 6 at 12 p.m., Joe Johnston, Senior Accounting and Business Development Manager at TGG will lead a four part series that targets business models for retail, manufacturing, and software. This series will provide business executives with tools to evaluate how their companies rank against competitors based on basic business models and price-value matrix.

• Is your workforce in need of training? Rancho Santiago Community College District and Saddleback college can provide customized and subsidized training opportunities to upskill or reskill your employees. For more information, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP of Workforce and Economic Development.

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

• Southwest Airlines ranks first place out of the seven major airlines for a health and safety grade. Southwest Airlines receives top marks for its flexible booking policy, affordable fares, blocked seats, and enhanced safety and wellness procedures. Congratulations Southwest Airlines! 

• The Los Angeles Angels unite with 11 pro sports teams to launch The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles, a movement to bring social justice through sports. This movement is in partnership with the Play Equity Fund to complete a five-year commitment to bring racial injustice, provide educational opportunities, and support issues in predominantly Black communities. 

• In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, OCTA accomplished 41 of 92 milestones in the first six months of 2020. OCTA’s mid-year report indicates project advancements on the Measure M initiative, the construction of OC Streetcar, freeway improvements on the I-405, I-5, and SR-91, and increased funds for the enhancement of city streets and the OC Bus system.