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Thursday, September 24, 2020 | View as Webpage
REOPEN THEME PARKS NOW, FIRES EXCEED CO2 EMISSIONS—MORE THAN CARS, NO COVID IN SCHOOLS, AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
IT’S TIME TO REOPEN CALIFORNIA THEME PARKS:*
  • On Tuesday, September 22, Disneyland Resort held a virtual press conference inside the closed Anaheim theme park. Disney parks chairman Josh D’Amaro called on Governor Newsom to treat theme parks as any other business sector. “We’re ready,” D’Amaro said during the press conference. “It’s time.” Visit www.reopenocnow.com and sign the letter to the governor to reopen theme parks!

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING ALL NEW PASSENGER VEHICLES TO BE ZERO-EMISSION BY 2035:*
  • The California Air Resources Board will develop the regulations as well as develop regulations to mandate that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be 100 percent zero emission by 2045 where feasible. The order also requires state agencies, in partnership with the private sector, to accelerate deployment of affordable fueling and charging options. Read the full executive order.

"OFF THE CHART": CO2 FROM CALIFORNIA FIRES DWARF STATE'S FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS:*
  • This year’s fires in California have already burned through 3.4 million acres of land, and the fire season isn’t set to end for at least a couple of months. The fires generated more than 91 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is about 25% more than the state’s annual emissions from fossil fuels. Higher carbon emissions contribute to a multipart climate feedback, accelerating climate change which then sets the stage for more fires that will emit an increasing amount of carbon dioxide, experts say. Read more!

OC SCHOOLS HAVE EXPERIENCED NO COVD-19 POSITIVE CASES:*

SCE PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR SAFE OUTDOOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS:*
  • Southern California Edison has released safety guidelines for businesses and cities to assist them with outdoor expansion. It is crucial that these guidelines are followed to ensure businesses operating outdoors are safe for their customers and employees. To read the full guidelines visit SCE’s website HERE.

GIRL SCOUTS OF ORANGE COUNTY OFFERS FREE MULTILINGUAL WEBINARS:*
  • Join Girl Scouts for free webinars (in both English and Spanish) in October for an essential conversation on parenting during the pandemic. Leading child development experts will provide actionable tips to set OC’s youth up for success during these uncertain times. Together we will learn new ways to help our children navigate change with confidence and resiliency. Learn more and register here.

ANAHEIM TRANSPORTATION NETWORK ELECTRIC BUSES TO SAVE EST. $4.8 MILLION IN FUEL COSTS:*
  • Continuing down its path towards becoming California’s first all-electric bus fleet, the Anaheim Transportation Network has selected AMPLY Power to manage all aspects of charging for its 46 electric buses. "This project marks a significant step for our community by working towards our 100 percent electric bus fleet," said Diana Kotler, Executive Director at Anaheim Transportation Network.

SafeDineOC GRANTS HAVE BEEN RAISED TO $5,000, SHARE THE NEWS!:
TURNING RED TAPE INTO RED CARPET SPOTLIGHT:
MWDOC’s WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM:
  • MWDOC’s distribution system water loss program allows staff could work directly with retail water agencies to locate leaks and help them optimize their water distribution systems. To date, MWDOC has hosted 29 Water Loss Work Group Meetings and completed 137 Annual Water Balance Validations, vastly improving water agency understanding of volumes of real and apparent losses, strategies to recover losses and value of losses. More than 715 miles of distribution system lead detection has been completed and 367 hidden leaks have been repaired. This has recovered more than 81.5 million gallons of water valued at over $332,000.
 
ADVOCACY UPDATES:
BUSINESS NEEDS CONGRESS TO PASS “PHASE FOUR” RELIEF PACKAGE:
  • OCBC is sincerely appreciative of the aid Congress has delivered to businesses and their employees nationwide since the pandemic began; however, Congress and the Trump administration must act swiftly to reach an agreement for a “phase four” relief package. Major employers like airlines, restaurants, retailers and small businesses are in desperate need of assistance to avoid furloughing staff or closing entirely. Contact youMember of CongressSenators and the Speaker’s office today to ask them to compromise and reach an agreement to support America’s employers and workforce.

BUSINESS RESOURCES:
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE OC TECH BUSINESS:
  • The 2020 Timmy Awards recognizes tech companies who bring innovation and excellence to the community and create the best places for tech experts to work. Vote for your favorite Orange County businesses here.

IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION PREPARED FOR THE NEXT NATURAL DISASTER?:
  • It is becoming ever more imperative that we take the necessary steps to be ready for business interruption to occur. That is why Edison International has teamed up with the Outsmart Disaster Campaign to offer resources and tools to mitigate business interruptions through a new program called the "Resilient Business Challenge". It covers topics such as Identifying Impacts of DisruptionStrengthening Facilities, and Structuring Your Crisis Communication Plan. Join Edison International on to learn more about the Challenge and how you can be a resilient business by visiting OutsmartDisaster.com/Edison

2020-21 OC COMMUNITY INDICATORS REPORT:
  • The report covers the broad impacts of COVID-19 and looks to a future with more tele-work, tele-health and less office space. "This has accelerated a lot of trends and fostered new trends that will continue after we get through this, we have the opportunity to rethink what the next normal is,” said Dr. Walrod, OCBC Chief Economic Advisor. Continue reading the OC Register article and Download the report!

UCI APPLIED INNOVATION VS SPEAKER SERIES WITH BRIAN MESIC FROM ANKONA CAPITAL:
  • Join us for a conversation with Brian Mesic from Ankona Capital. We will discuss the Ankona's strategy, why Brian focuses on growth stage companies and the Southern California growth stage ecosystem. Register today!

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES:
COVID-19 NEWS:
HOW TO SAFELY SHIP COVID-19 VACCINES AT –80°C:*
  • The U.S. military, FedEx, UPS, federal contractors and major drug distributors are developing solutions to deliver and distribute millions of COVID-19 vaccines at arctic temperatures. In preparation, FedEx has acquired warehouse machines to produce dry ice, the idea to create millions of vials with a new type of pharmaceutical-grade glass that can withstand the lowest temperatures, specially designed cooler transport boxes, enhanced employee transportation training, the use of global warehouses, and more.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND UPDATES
SANTA ANA OFFERS FREE COVID-19 TESTING AND MASKS:*
  • On Monday, September 28 from 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. the Santa Ana Cares Mobile Resource Center will distribute free masks, information on rental assistance and cost-free COVID-19 testing. 

HUNTINGTON BEACH CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS ON FLOOD CHANNEL:*
  • In late September to Spring 2022, the City of Huntington Beach will begin construction on the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Channel Improvement Project. The improvements will update the channel to current design standards and flood insurance requirements and amplify channel capacity for storm runoff. 

OC CAN MOVE INTO LESS RESTRICTIVE ORANGE TIER SOON:

FREE MASKS DRIVE-THRU FOR ANAHEIM RESIDENTS:
  • On Saturday, September 26 from 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., join the City of Anaheim for a drive-thru mask distribution. Residents will receive one pack of single-use masks and other promotional giveaways. 

ANAHEIM OFFERS REBATE FOR INTERNET ACCESS:
  • Anaheim residents with an annual income of $102, 450 or less are eligible for the Internet Access Rebate program. The program will provide rebate up to $120 for three months of internet service and will be based on the number of residents in a household. 

TODAY'S EVENT – HUNTINGTON BEACH VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM:

IRVINE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW OPEN:

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:
CAL STATE FULLERTON ECONOMISTS QUANTIFY DISNEYLAND RESORT’S IMPACT ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:*
  • Disneyland Resort provided Cal State Fullerton’s Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting a $75,000 grant to conduct an in-depth analysis on the theme park’s economic and regional impact. Studies shows that Disneyland Resort’s total economic impact in 2018 was $8.5 billion with an increase of 50 percent over 2013. This brought $509.6 million to in state and local taxes during fiscal year 2018. Additionally, the theme park generates 78,299 jobs and makes up 3.6 percent of all jobs in Orange County. 

HOAG HOSPITAL IRVINE WILL DELIVER NEW MATERNITY SERVICES THIS WINTER:*
  • In response to the community’s increased health care needs, Hoag Hospital extends its world-renowned maternity services to Hoag Hospital Irvine. In the winter, 12 new birthing suites with a home-like aesthetic will open for single room maternity care. The donations from Gary Fudge, the Tsao family and other philanthropic donators will provide two C-section operating rooms, a level 2 neonatal intensive care unit, 24/7 expert staff, and an outdoor walking garden.
 
MUSIC IS IN BLOOM WITH PACIFIC SYMPHONY’S VIRTUAL OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION:
  • On Saturday, September 26th, join the virtual opening night celebration of the 2020-21 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series. Invite your ten closest friends and experience the musical works of Carl St. Clair, Music Director, and renown guest pianists. Tickets are available here!

WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC:

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RESOURCES
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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.