• OCBC will host meetings with numerous federal leaders, including Representatives Tony Cárdenas, Judy Chu, John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal and Mike Levin on April 27, 9 – 11 a.m. New meetings are added on April 29 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. featuring Congressman Ken Calvert and Senator Dianne Feinstein's Chief of Staff, David Grannis. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from decision-makers on infrastructure, education, energy and other policy areas important to Orange County. Register today!

• Over the next three years, AT&T is committed to combine its low-cost broadband services with community investment through the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program administered by the FCC. AT&T will focus on discounted education offers, affordable internet accessibility and reduced monthly broadband costs with a three-year plan and $2 billion commitment. Read more. 

• Join The Orange County Register, Chapman University and the Orange County Health Care Agency at noon for a virtual town hall to discuss COVID-19 vaccines. A panel of experts will kick off the event by diving deep to answer vaccine questions and address COVID-19 public health in OC. Wrapping up, citizens may voice additional concerns in an interactive Q&A. Register now!   

• The U.S. Restaurant Revitalization Fund aims to provide restaurants with funds equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss. Recipients are not required to repay anything as long as funds are used no later than March 11, 2023. The U.S. Small Business Administration will administer funds to small restaurants that the pandemic has hit the hardest. For more information or details on eligibility requirements, click here. 

• Join a panel of experts on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for an opportunity to hear about OC initiatives to address healthy equity amid the pandemic. Learn about CalOptima's role in members improved vaccine access through Vaccine Member Health Rewards and hear an update on "Project Independence," one of the many ways the county has partnered with community organizations to support health equity. Register today!  

• SB 55, a bill that would have made it much harder for builders to create new developments in areas deemed “fire-prone”, will not advance this year after advocacy from business and housing leaders statewide. This bill would have worsened the housing crisis by effectively banning development across roughly a third of the state. CalChamber put the bill on its Job Killer list.

• The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is seeking feedback on its efforts to refresh the Statewide Housing Plan, intended to address CA’s housing crisis. Respond to this survey by April 23 to ask the state for CEQA reform, improvements to new VMT mitigation standards, and removal of other barriers that limit the ability and increase costs to build badly needed housing in CA. 

• The CA Transportation Commission is hosting two workshops this week on April 20 and 23, 1-5 p.m., on the State’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI). Join OCBC and other business and industry leaders in calling for more specifics on the plan’s funding strategy, and consideration for impacts on the economy, jobs, and goods movement as California transitions out of the pandemic.

• CalTAX released its California Tax Facts report with helpful stats for taxpayers, businesses, and elected leaders. Businesses pay more than two-thirds of the total property tax burden, at 67.05% in the 2019-20 assessment period (homeowners account for the remaining 32.95%). Businesses' share of property taxes is up from 63.35% two years earlier and is almost 9% higher than immediately after passage of Proposition 13 (the tax reform measure of 1978).  

• Anaheim Public Utilities aims to support small businesses and non-profits through electric bill credits. Businesses that meet the eligibility criteria could qualify for up to $1,000 in credits. Applications will be accepted until April 30. Apply now!  

• 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. 

• District Export Council of Southern California will host the OC World Trade Week Forum with a fantastic program of speakers and sessions designed to help SoCal firms get the insights and tools needed to move their business forward. For more information on the different sessions over May 18-20, click here.  

• Join California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission Chair, Dr. Jasmeet Bains on Friday, April 30 at 12 p.m. as she discusses the impact of COVID-19 on women's mental health and safely returning to the workforce. Hosted by California Women Lead. Register here. 

• Employers and job seekers are invited to participate in the Orange County 4th District Virtual Job Fair on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Job seekers without computer or internet access are encouraged to use the OC One-Stop Center in Garden Grove or the Mobile Unit.  

• Cal Optima's report reflects on the community's resilience amid the pandemic year. Noteworthy highlights were the fantastic actions of the health care community, provider's work on behalf of CalOptima members and ways in which the community united to carry on through challenging times.    

• 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.