The Leading Voice of Business
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DISNEYLAND OPENS, MASK UPDATES, D.C. SUMMIT RECAP, VERIZON'S SMALL BUSINESS DAYS, POP-UP VACCINE CLINIC AND MORE! |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
DISNEYLAND RESORT’S SPECIAL PREVIEW DAY:*
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On April 28, Disneyland Resort welcomed some of its cast members and OC community members to experience the enhanced health and safety measures in advance of the public re-opening on April 30. Disney’s white glove approach encompassed everything from required temperature checks, face coverings, to continuous best practice health reminders. Capacity was limited and at this time, only CA residents may visit the parks. Disney is an economic engine in OC that creates jobs and generates much needed tax revenue for the city of Anaheim and surrounding municipalities. Read more.
CDC COVID-19 MASK UPDATES FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE:*
OCBC HOSTS FIRST DAY OF WASHINGTON, D.C. ADVOCACY SUMMIT:*
In lieu of OCBC’s annual trip to Washington, D.C., OCBC members met virtually with federal leaders on Tuesday to discuss infrastructure, energy, equity, support for businesses and more! Thank you to all sponsors, speakers and attendees. Two additional meetings will be held today at 12:30 p.m. See below for highlights from Tuesday’s meetings:
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Congressman John Garamendi commended OC for being a national leader in water recycling and looks forward to delivering infrastructure solutions to maintain CA’s competitiveness.
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Congressman Alan Lowenthal discussed the nation’s transition to clean energy, which will depend on a diverse supply of energy sources. He also emphasized how the benefits the American Jobs Plan would bring to OC.
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Congresswoman Judy Chu outlined how Congress has supported businesses since the pandemic began, including the American Rescue Plan. The Congresswoman continues to work on combating hate crimes against the AAPI population and called for a unified voice against xenophobia.
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Congresswoman Linda Sánchez discussed needed investments in broadband, transportation and childcare. She also discussed the importance of delivering real immigration reform and how that would benefit the economy.
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Congressman Mike Levin sees OC turning the corner on the pandemic and sees an opportunity to improve CA’s infrastructure with the American Jobs Plan. He noted that OC’s 34 cities were not large enough to qualify for CARES Act funding, but now they qualify for American Rescue Plan funding.
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Jack Howard, Senior VP of Congressional and Public Affairs for U.S. Chamber, talked about the razor thin majority held by Democrats and what that means for policymakers moving forward. He discussed the American Jobs Plan, PRO Act and other important legislation, as well as opportunities for bipartisanship.
VERIZON LAUNCHES SMALL BUSINESS DAYS:*
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Verizon is committed to assist small businesses in growth and recovery. On April 29, Small Business Days will launch, which offers small businesses complimentary tech evaluations, waived fees, a 10-year price guarantee for 5G Business Internet and many more special discounts. Small Business Days will be at all Verizon retail locations. Small business customers can receive virtual appointments here by clicking "Request a Business Sales Appointment."
STATE OF THE COUNTY OC 2021:*
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TODAY! Join OCBC for Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce's State of the County, OC 2021. Supervisor Katrina Foley, County CEO Frank Kim, and OCBC's SVP of Government Affairs Jennifer Ward will provide updates. Register now for this free virtual event from 8 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
NEW UCI HEALTH PROGRAM SUPPORTS ‘LONG COVID’ PATIENTS:*
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UCI recently launched an outpatient program to treat long-hauler coronavirus patients who experience lingering symptoms. UCI’s program has kicked off with the treatment of 30 “long COVID” patients and aims to assist them on the road to recovery. Read more.
SANTA ANA VACCINATION CLINIC - MAY 1:*
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Office of Gov. Newsom will host a vaccination pop-up clinic at Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana on May 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone over 18 years is welcome to get a vaccine. Book a vaccine appointment today!
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ADVOCACY UPDATE
OCBC AND R.E.A.L. COALITION OPPOSE PROPOSED MASSIVE TAX INCREASE:*
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OCBC and the Regional Economic Association Leaders (R.E.A.L.) Coalition stand in opposition to AB 71, which would raise taxes on businesses by $2.4 billion a year. The bill would fund homelessness programs, but this can be accomplished without making it even harder for employers to compete in California. Read the R.E.A.L. Coalition’s letter here. Contact your Assemblymember and ask them to oppose AB 71!
HOME PRICES REACH RECORD HIGH AS HOUSING PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO DECLINE:*
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The state median home price reached a record-high $759,990 in March 2021. This is in part due to a substantial shortfall of new housing units—CA approved only 102,800 new housing units in 2020, which was 8.8% less than 2019 and far short of the Governor’s goal of building 500,000 new units annually. CA and OC need tools to incentivize new workforce housing. Read more.
SCNG UNDERSCORES NEEDED OPPOSITION TO AQMD RULE:
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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.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
CALMATTERS’ FUTURE OF WORK IN POST-COVID CA:*
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Join CalMatters and the Milken Institute for a webinar series that explores CA’s post-COVID recovery from recession and progress toward an economy centered on equity, mobility and opportunity. The first webinar, featuring CA Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley, will be on May 11 at noon. Register here!
ACTIVITY AND BUSINESS TIER UPDATES:
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California Department of Public Health made updates to the Activity & Business Tiers Chart. Modifications impact gatherings, private events, indoor performances and more. Check here to see if your industry has been impacted.
U.S CHAMBER GLOBAL FORUM ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY:
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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!
ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RELIEF FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES:
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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.
RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND:
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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. To register for an upcoming webinar by the OC/IE SBDC, click here.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
GOOD NEWS ON COVID-19 PROGRESS:*
- Thanks to continued gains in COVID-19 vaccinations and ongoing efforts to practice good health and safety protocols, a number of positive milestones were reached on the global pandemic stage:
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After a temporary pause, the FDA and CDC once again recommend the use of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine and CA officials announced the resumed use of the J&J shot. Data shows J&J COVID-19 vaccine’s benefits outweigh risks. Read more.
- Officials in the U.K. downgraded COVID from a pandemic to an endemic situation, where the virus is circulating at a low, largely controllable level.
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Dr. Fauci and other experts said the risk of catching the virus outside is very low, and the Biden Administration is getting ready to relax public health guidance on outdoor masks.
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European Union officials announced that fully vaccinated American tourists will be able to travel to the EU this summer. Read more.
- Click here for OC Health Care Agency's vaccine resources
TWO NEW FREE VACCINE SITES:*
- 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. Businesses interested in offering employees free vaccines may contact Jordan Abushawish for more information.
MOBILITY 21 SUMMIT AWARD NOMINATIONS:*
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Mobility 21 Summit Award Nominations have been extended to May 14. Nominations forms and one-page description should be e-mailed to Kristin Slocum, Director of Operations and Communications, Mobility 21.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS |
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OCBC EVENTS
Economic Development Forum Series: Part 1 - Safe Travels
May 20 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 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. Thank you sponsors: Amazon, Cal State Fullerton, and John Wayne Airport.
Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Lewis Cornell
May 26 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Grab your coffee and bagel and join OCBC virtually for the first Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast of 2021 featuring Lewis (Lou) Cornell, President and Chief Executive Officer, WSP USA, once of the largest engineering and professional services firms in the U.S.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
May 7 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join OCBC for updates with Senator Josh Newman and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley.
May 11 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
May 12 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Join OCBC in the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. DE&I officers or other executives focused in this space are welcome to participate.
Register with Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC V.P. of Workforce and Economic Development.
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NOT AN OCBC MEMBER? JOIN TODAY! |
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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.
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