• This week three key metrics which track the spread of COVID-19 in OC reached all-time pandemic lows. A state Department of Public Health update Tuesday, April 20, showed OC's case rate went from 3 cases per day per 100,000 residents last week to 2.8 cases per 100,000 this week. Vaccinations have played a key role in this significant drop. Get vaccinated today!   

• Providence has partnered with Edwards Lifesciences, and the Cities of Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Tustin to open two free mass COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics. Once fully operational, the two sites together will be able to vaccinate up to 4,000 residents per day, with the ability to expand depending on vaccine supply. Read more here.

• Join the Center for Health Care Management and Policy for UCI's Spring Speaker Program to learn how companies are making health equity a strategic priority and how this drives their business towards excellence. Hear from speakers on how to improve health equity within your community. The event will be held virtually on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Register here. 

• Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport has started to rebound from pandemic levels. In March 2021, the Airport served 385,396 passengers, an increase of 14% compared to March 2020 levels. Read more. 

• OC United Way's virtual benefit concert “We Must Look Up: Rising Above Hate with Love" will be on Saturday, April 24, at 5 p.m. to combat the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, amplify awareness of this issue, and raise needed funds to support community-based organizations that provide critical services for vulnerable community members.

• OCBC will host meetings with 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!

• The Southern CA News Group editorial board recently penned this editorial highlighting the negative impacts on jobs and the economy that AQMD's proposed warehouse rule will have. OCBC opposes this rule and encourages members to add their opposition in advance of AQMD's next Governing Board meeting on May 7.

• 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. 

• Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's first annual Global Forum on May 18-19. The virtual event will focus on economic recovery and ways to create healthier communities, support entrepreneurship and expand access to innovative technologies. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from top thought business and government leaders. Register today!

• Join SoCalGas' New Business Consultant Webinar on May 19 from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. to learn about their new business processes as well as enhancements for customers. The workshop will also highlight planned timelines, project submittal and requests for SoCalGas Accounts. Attendees will have time to voice questions for the Customer Energy Solutions team with an interactive Q&A. Register now!    

• On April 21, President Biden announced a new paid leave tax credit that will offset the cost for employers with less than 500 employees to provide full pay when their employees get a COVID-19 vaccination or recover from that vaccination. For more information, click here.  

• 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. 

• 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. 

• Join OC Forum Thursday, April 29 at 12 p.m. for “The Future of: Law Enforcement,” to be a part of our critical discussion around how law enforcement, and the people they serve, can work together to address the community’s safety and develop meaningful, sustainable changes. To RSVP, click here. 

• Seniors who cannot drive may reserve a ride to a vaccination site through Age Well Senior Services transportation program, Information on Wheels Orange County, Abrazar Inc. transportation services or the Orange County Office on Aging. Additionally, the county's Health Care Agency offers at-home vaccinations for people that meet the eligibility criteria. Read more.    

• Friendly Hills Bank will acquire three Bank of Southern California branches. This expansion includes branches located in Orange, Redlands and Santa Fe Springs, California. “These offices and the communities which they serve are a strong fit with our local community bank model,” said Jeffrey K. Ball, Chief Executive Officer of Friendly Hills Bank. “This transaction provides us with an opportunity to extend our quality service model for relationship-based banking and payroll processing services. Read here for more details.

• 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.