• Small businesses, especially, that are struggling to remain open amid a severe economic downtown and unprecedented closures, will be faced with significant increases in operating costs beginning January 2021. Read the full press release here.

• Westin Anaheim Resort, located next to Anaheim Convention Center, is scheduled to open its doors in October 2020. The 4-Diamond hotel will feature an outdoor pool, fitness center, seven restaurants and a rooftop lounge that overlooks Disneyland Resort’s firework display.

• In April 2020, the Judicial Council instated a statewide moratorium on tenant evictions that is due to expire on August 12. Lawmakers and tenants now fear a “a wave of evictions” and hope for an extension to be voted in. California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakau has now announced her plan to hold a vote to extend the order. Learn more.

• “There will never be a cheaper time to buy these buildings,” said Brooke Weitzman, a leading lawyer for homeless people in Orange County. “Now is the moment that Orange County needs to act if they’re looking for solutions.” Read more.

• The Irvine Animal Care Center wants to meet your furry friends for its annual Photo Fundraiser. Submit a photo of your pet to be featured in the 2021 Irvine Animal Care Center wall calendar. Deadline submission is September 8, 2020. Submit your photo here.

• Governor Newsom announced over $1 billion in tax credits through the California Earned Income Tax Credit and Young Child Tax Credit. Families with children who are also eligible for the CalEITC will receive an additional $1,000. The development of the CalEITC and the installation of the YCTC comes in response to Californians' need for financial assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

• Read the announcement and outline of the newly unveiled $100 billion stimulus plan from a group of CA legislators.
• Bills highlighted on jobs-housing balance, CEQA streamlining, active transportation, corporate diversity, and liability protections for schools

• Robust plan for safe and open elections includes expanding vote by mail and opening polls for early voting on October 31 – a good excuse to #MaskUp and wear your Halloween costume to vote!
• Share your ideas for polling locations in Orange County and check out ways businesses can promote voter engagement through the Democracy at Work Program
• Remember to complete your 2020 Census – easy to do online!

• Encouraged OCBC members to communicate concerns and priorities to Governor Newsom under these unprecedented advocacy circumstances. Have an issue you think needs attention at the state level? Let us know!

• State’s implementation of sustainable wildfire mitigation requirements for utilities advances, while also balancing progress towards state renewable energy / clean air goals and minimizing impacts to ratepayers and taxpayers.
• His bill AB 979 would mandate increased diversity achievements on corporate boards.

• OPR’s SB 743 website breaks down complexities of new vehicle miles traveled (VMT) transportation impact requirements and highlights the focus on prioritizing housing near transit-rich or jobs-rich sites. 

• Importance of collaboration and co-investment in communities by both transportation and housing agencies.

• Currently working on implementing Governor’s Water Resiliency Portfolio to address our aging infrastructure, climate change, and ensure reliable water supply for our future.
• Efforts continue on a Sacramento-San Joaquin delta conveyance solution with the Department of Water Resources currently working with the Governor on his one-tunnel plan.
• Thanked Orange County water agencies for their leadership on recycled water and many other areas!

• In a candid discussion, Dr. Fauci reviews schools reopening, vaccines, resent towards the scientific community, and the U.S’s current status. Read more.

• A research team at University of Chicago is in the development of two COVID-19 breakthrough inventions, an ultraviolet light to disinfect PPE and a $10 handheld COVID-19 home test. The ultraviolet light can fully disinfect 180 masks per hour and can be upscaled to sanitize over 34,000 per day. The affordable at-home COVID-19 test alerts users in ten minutes if they currently have the infection and if they build antibodies.

• 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. Register today!

• The Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force invites cybersecurity professionals from public and private sectors to the 2020 California Cybersecurity Industry Convening Virtual Meeting, a free workshop with an interactive convening designed to assist IT professionals with their workforce needs. Learn more and register here. 

• The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has teamed up with Kallman Worldwide and the U.S. Commercial Service to offer California businesses an online series of virtual trade missions designed to link California suppliers directly with pre-screened international buyers, potential partners and buying authorities. Learn more and register here.

• Interested in the latest data on Q2 earnings, stimulus checks, COVID-19 increases and more? View Christopher Schwarz, UC Irvine Associate Professor of Finance and Faculty Director of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management for more information on economic and financial updates. Watch now.

• Small Business Emergency Grant Program Phase II will provide businesses with 25 or less employees with grants up to $10,000 and home-based businesses grants up to $2,500. These funds will be used for operating expenses such as rent/lease payments, mortgage payments, PPE, utility expenses, and inventory. The application period begins today.

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

• Registrar of Voters has implemented new action plans for the 2020 Presidential General Election to provide a safe and secure environment for voters. The report covers the election planning that includes, candidate filing, recruitment, vote-by-mail voting, vote center locations, and more.

• As California's reopen plans stands in-between stage 2 and 3, find out what is open and restricted in OC with the state's county tracker.

• An executive order on eviction moratorium has been extended until Sept. 30, 2020. Santa Ana City Manager Kristine Ridge has signed this executive order that will halt the evictions of residential and commercial tenants who are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19. 

• Bank of America Supports Orange County High Schoolers for Leadership Program. Bank of America has selected four students to participate in their Student Leaders program. Due to COVID-19, the program will turn to a virtual format. OCBC applauds Bank Of America for maintaining critical internship programs like these during this pandemic.

• Hoag Hospital’s first-class medical care lands itself in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-21 Best Hospitals Rankings. Hoag Hospital’s achievement comes with additional high ranks as the fourth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metro area and eighth-best in California. Seven of Hoag Hospital’s specialities also received recognition. Way to go Hoag Hospital!

• OC United Way names four new Board of Directors members, Charles Antis, CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing; Shirin Behzadi, Board member, advisor and former CEO of Home Franchise Concepts; Mark Clemens of KPMG LLP; and Mark Stockton of US Bank Home Mortgage.

• 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.