The Leading Voice of Business
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 | View as Webpage
AVENGERS CAMPUS, SACRAMENTO SUMMIT, STAND WITH AAPI, JOB KILLERS, CONVENING DE&I, AND MORE! 
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DISNEYLAND’S AVENGERS CAMPUS WILL OPEN ON JUNE 4:*
  • Avengers Campus themed land is based on Marvel superheroes with the added bonus of open-ended stories. An open-ended story approach allows for a realm of endless possibilities in which Marvel characters are free to come and go. Avengers Campus was initially set to open on July 18, 2020 but due to the pandemic had to hold off. Similar to its superhero characters, Avengers Campus has exhibited great fortitude in the transition to open safely. Read more.  

SPECIAL RECAP: OCBC HOSTS EXCLUSIVE MEETINGS AT “ONE VOICE, TWO CAPITOLS” SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY SUMMIT:*
In lieu of its annual trip to Sacramento, OCBC members “Zoomed” with 12 State leaders and elected officials last week! See below for highlights from Day Two, and check out the recap for meetings from Day One here. 

  • State Controller Betty Yee discussed the need for California to be an economically attractive, competitive place. The Controller outlined how this year’s surplus can help invest in workforce housing and close the digital divide. 
  • Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot talked drought and wildfire preparedness, and noted that state agencies must account for how the state’s transition to a low carbon economy impacts businesses across industry sectors.
  • State Treasurer Fiona Ma recognized that EDD sorely needs fixing and hopes that legislation in the budget package will assist EDD. 
  • Senate Housing Chair Scott Wiener provided an overview of housing legislation this year and discussed the nexus between climate change policies and the housing shortage. 
  • Senate Judiciary Chair Tom Umberg expressed his desire to support courts and businesses through reforming PAGA. The Senator also highlighted his legislation supporting restaurants recover from the pandemic. 

Join OCBC on April 27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for the Washington, D.C. Advocacy Summit—register HERE. Thank you to all sponsors, attendees and speakers!

ICYMI: OC FORUM’S WAYS TO STAND WITH AAPI COMMUNITY:* 
  • On April 9, OC Forum hosted an imperative discussion with local leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to discuss unity, celebrate diversity, and ways to stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. View the event filled with an esteemed panel like Dr. Thuy Vo Dang, UCI Research Librarian for Asian American Studies, Anthony Kuo, City of Irvine Councilmember, Superintendent of Anaheim Union High School District, Michael Matsuda, and Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asians Advancing Justice in Los Angeles. 

CALCHAMBER’S 2021 JOB KILLER LIST:* 
  • CalChamber’s Job Killer list identifies legislation in the works that could potentially be detrimental to CA’s business climate. Follow along for bills that would discourage employers to locate in CA; restrict workforce growth; eliminate jobs; or significantly increase costs on employers, which simultaneously limits their ability to expand employee wages, benefits, and jobs.

JOIN OCBC IN THE PROMOTION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:* 
  • Calling all OCBC members! OCBC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and wants to support members in their efforts to do the same. In May, OCBC will host a Workforce Development Committee meeting, where DE&I officers or other executives focused in this space are welcome to participate. If your organization is interested, please contact Jesse Ben-Ron , VP of Workforce and Economic Development. 

UNITED WAY’S 2021 SCORECARD EVENT, UNITED FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY- APRIL 15: 
  • Join United Way on April 15 at 9 a.m. for a 30-minute virtual session on community action and support for families who have struggled to gain financial security. Register here, to hear progress updates and stories of hope. For more information, contact Jessica Vanderwall. 
ADVOCACY UPDATE
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE:*

DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT WILL HELP OC ECONOMY:
  • The Delta Conveyance Project will enhance the reliability of California’s water supply by improving the state’s water delivery system, shoring up seismic risks, and restoring habitat. Read more about how everyone wins with this crucial project from Municipal Water District of Orange County’s Board President, Sat Tamaribuchi.

BUSINESS RESOURCES
STEPS FOR A SAFE RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE:* 
  • COVID-19 safety measures must be implemented by employers to ensure a smooth transition back to worksites. Items like written prevention programs, COVID-19 tests, COVID-19 exposure disclosures, sick leave, and industry-specific standards will be essential for a safe workplace return. 

CALIFORNIA-BAJA CALIFORNIA IT & AEROSPACE: VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION PROGRAM:*  
  • Join GO-Biz, the US Commercial Service, and the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce on May 3, 4 and 6 to hear from potential business partners, government officials and prime contractors in Baja California. Opportunities include the ability to discover and plug into current supply chain market. Register by April 21.  
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OC HUMANITY STARTS HERE MOVEMENT:*  
  • OC Humanity Starts Here invites residents to share how the community has come together to show moments of humanity and movements for good. Humanity Starts Here compiles stories of hope and aims to inspire others to continue the good work. Share yours today!

JOIN GIRL SCOUTS OF OC FOR 10TH ANNUAL VOICE FOR GIRLS FORUM:
  • Girl Scouts of Orange County’s 10th Annual Voice for Girls forum, The Power of the All-Female Environment in Fueling Female Leaders, presented by Angels Baseball, is Friday, May 7, 2021 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Click HERE to learn more and register for this FREE virtual event. To recognize a colleague paving the way for women in the workplace, learn about our Spotlight Sponsorship and other sponsorship opportunities HERE.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CHRYSALIS ADDRESSES POST-PANDEMIC WORKFORCE GAPS:*
  • Since November 2018, Chrysalis Center in OC has helped nearly 400 people secure full-time, sustainable jobs, partnering with over 30 major employers including Disneyland Resort and Honda Center. Chrysalis has been a trend-setter in the field of employment social enterprise with Chrysalis Enterprises (CE). For those with significant barriers to employment, CE offers paid, transitional employment with in-house businesses – including a staffing agency, a street maintenance company, and Roads, a program in partnership with Caltrans. To find out how your company can provide employment opportunities, click here. 

UCI EXCEEDS $1 BILLION IN GIFTS FOR BRILLIANT FUTURE CAMPAIGN:* 
  • UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign aims to advance the American dream for students, transform healthcare and wellness, accelerate world-changing research, and explore the human experience. With the help of alumni and friends UCI raised more than $1 billion to support scholarships, groundbreaking research, top-notch patient care and world-class educational facilities, among other initiatives. 

BANK OF AMERICA INCREASES COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO $1.25 BILLION:
  • Bank of America announced that it has increased its $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity to $1.25 billion over five years. This effort further accelerates work already underway to address racial equality and opportunity through direct actions, investments and work to catalyze similar efforts across the private sector. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
May 20 | 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join OCBC’s Economic Development Forum Series, Part 1, Safe Travels to hear from industry experts on the return of tourism, travel, leisure and transportation industries in OC.  
Contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager, for more information. 

April 27 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join OCBC for an exclusive opportunity to hear from top elected officials and federal leaders.
For more information contact Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
April 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC and Dr. Christine Olmstead, Associate Superintendent Education Services for OC Department of Education for a discussion on schools reopening and the state of OC’s K-12 schools. 
Register with Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC V.P., Economic and Workforce Development.

May 7 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Register with Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.
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. But we need YOUR VOICE! For more info, contact Natalie Rubalcava, OCBC Chief Operating Officer.