The Leading Voice of Business in Orange County
Friday, June 12, 2020
MASK UPDATE, FUTURE OF RACE RELATIONS, SOUTH COAST PLAZA OPEN, & MORE
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.
  • HOT OFF THE PRESSES:
  • COUNTY OF ORANGE CHANGES ITS MASK MANDATE. Now it’s “strongly recommended” not required. https://mailchi.mp/ochca/newhoo Plus new industry sectors now reopening June 12.
  • SOUTH COAST PLAZA reopened Thursday with at least 110 merchants. MASKS REQUIRED TO ENTER.
  • "NO TURNING BACK" on reopening, Gov. Newsom says, pointing to the state's increased testing ability, hospital capacity, and available ventilators — key metrics in the decision to ease statewide modifications  — as reasoning for pressing ahead. 
  • PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM: The deadline for small business owners to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is June 30th. The PPP is a SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find additional information from the SBA here. 
  • OC FORUM RECAP: "THE FUTURE OF RACE RELATIONS": OC Forum presented “The Future of Race Relations” on June 11, bringing together a panel of black leaders including OC Black Chamber President, Bobby McDonald. Read more. View the full recording HERE.



  • GOOD NEWS IN OC:
  • OC DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Difference Makers award ceremony virtually. Nicole Suydam, President and CEO of Goodwill Orange County as well as OCBC Board Member, was named a 2020 Difference Maker. Watch the program here. Congratulations Nicole! 
  • OC UNITED WAY reaches $1 million 'OC Family to Family' goal to help 2,000 families on the edge of homelessness. There is also a new opportunity to help an additional 400 OC families thanks to a $100k dollar-to-dollar match by the Homeful Foundation, of which OCBC CEO President Lucy Dunn is a board member together with visionary Jeff Roos, President of Lennar. Learn more here. 


  • LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
  • BILL IMPEDING HOUSING IS STOPPED: SB 950 sought to expand the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by making it easier for sorely needed workforce housing projects to be blocked by opponents. OCBC testified via telephone to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, where the bill ultimately failed. It is more essential than ever that California prioritizes workforce housing construction.
NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
Join OCBC and connect with the most influential companies and top executives actively engaged in creating a pro-business environment and prosperous economy. Hundreds of Orange County's leading businesses, cities and non-profit organizations represent an elite group from every industry cluster, collectively employing over 250,000 people in the county and two million globally. Learn More. For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.
RESOURCES
OCBC Member Resources 
Giving Back
American Red Cross & Blood Donations - Donate blood today!
Caterina's Club Feeds Kids in Need - Donate today to help
Chrysalis COVID-19 Relief Fund - Matching donations up to $25K!
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank 
HCA Accepting Medical Donations - Masks, Gloves, Gowns Needed
Basic supplies needed
OC Food Bank - Donations needed. 
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Second Harvest Food Bank - Match My Gift - Every $1 DOUBLES to provide SIX nutritious meals!
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
StandUp For Kids Orange County  -  COVID-19 Emergency Response 
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online, contact Catherine Harper, OCBC Communications Manager, at 949.794.7245, or  [email protected] .