The Leading Voice of Business
|
|
|
OCBC DEI SPECIAL FEATURE, A TOUCH OF DISNEY, J&J VACCINE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE, TCA CATTLE HIT THE HILLS, AND MORE!
|
|
SPECIAL FEATURE:
OCBC LAUNCHES DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
NEWSLETTER SEGMENT
2020 was a watershed year for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the nation and in Orange County. COVID-19 has laid bare the inequities we knew existed, and community health and safety risks continue to affect people of color at higher rates than white communities. The Black community, Indigenous groups, and people of color (BIPOC), have been hit especially hard, all while confronting the long-term effects of systematic racism, injustice and inequality. The national movement in support of racial justice that swept across the nation demonstrates society is at a critical juncture. Community, business, and government leaders must not only acknowledge the long-term impact of systematic inequity and racism, but also take action.
In response, OCBC will utilize its platform as the leading voice of business to share updates on DEI efforts in Orange County across industry sectors, provide resources to strength DEI initiatives in your business, and highlight the good work of local organizations.
BLACK CHAMBER PRESIDENT SALUTES CSUF DIVERSITY EFFORTS:*
-
Bobby McDonald, President of Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce, penned an op-ed that commends CSUF for their engagement with community leaders in meaningful discussions and efforts on behalf of diversity, equity and inclusion. Thank you CSUF for supporting Black students and OC’s Black community!
DON’T MISS OC DEPARTMENT OF ED’S “KNOW MY NAME, FACE AND STORY” VIRTUAL COLLOQUIUM:*
-
Join OC Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares for a virtual forum tomorrow at 3:25 p.m. in recognition of Black History Month. This conversation will discuss African American experiences and strategies for ensuring equity, opportunity and inclusion. Featured speakers include Letitia Clark, Mayor of Tustin, Kevin Martin, Senior Vice President for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and other leaders. Register here.
TODAY! SBA WEBINAR - BRIDGING AND EMPOWERING BLACK AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESSES:*
-
Join SBA on February 25 at 5 p.m., for an invigorating hour celebrating the rich contributions of Black Americans to the community, with a goal to advance opportunity and economic empowerment for all Black American business owners. Register today!
OC UNITED WAY HOSTS - CULTURES UNITED: A CONVERSATION SERIES:*
-
Learn more about the Latinx community in Orange County with Ben Alvarado, California Bank & Trust, Dolores Arredondo, City National Bank, Jamie Ramirez, CSULB student, and Richard Sanchez, CalOptima. They'll discuss how we can connect on an understanding of different backgrounds and the opportunities we have to share our experiences within corporate/professional settings. Register here.
OC TOGETHER RESTRUCTURE TWELVE-SESSION PROGRAM FOR YOUR BUSINESS:*
-
reStructure is a twelve-session, online program that explores topics built to unpack and identify areas of racial equity needs and strengths within an organization structure as well at the individual level. This cohort model invites diverse participants to work in an interactive, online, learning environment to gain knowledge, explore opportunities for racial equity improvement and implement racial equity practices in their workplaces. Participants are expected to complete all sessions. Learn more.
|
|
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE TO DEBUT A TOUCH OF DISNEY ON MARCH 18:*
-
Disney California Adventure will host A Touch of Disney starting March 18, a new, limited-capacity ticketed experience offering world-famous food and beverages from around the resort and a chance to see Disney characters. Learn more.
J&J COVID-19 VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE, FDA REPORT FINDS:*
-
The Johnson & Johnson candidate vaccine for COVID-19 raises no safety concerns, according to a report released early Wednesday. A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee is holding an all-day meeting Friday to review the data and is likely to give the vaccine a thumbs up, leading to an expected FDA authorization for the vaccine in adults within the next few days.
OCDE TO SET UP VACCINATION SITES FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES:*
-
All OC school employees will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations starting March 1. OCDE is planning several vaccination points of dispensing on school sites countywide over the next few weeks. Read more.
SBA PRIORITIZES MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES FOR PPP LOANS:*
-
U.S. Small Business Administration is promoting equitable relief for America’s smallest businesses in the latest round of Paycheck Protection Program funding. The share of funding for businesses with fewer than 10 employees is up nearly 60%. SBA is also implementing new approaches to further equity, including a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. Read more.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CAN BEGIN IN ORANGE COUNTY:*
-
On Tuesday the case rate for COVID-19 in Orange County dipped to 11.9 per 100,000, below the new threshold of 14 set last week by the California Department of Public Health. That development gave football, along with water polo and several other sports, the green light to begin their seasons.
ADVOCACY
IRVINE PASSES MANDATORY WAGE INCREASE ON GROCERY STORES:
-
Despite opposition from OCBC and other industry leaders, the City of Irvine last night passed a $4/hour premium pay ordinance for grocery workers. While well-intentioned, premium pay can instead raise prices for consumers, reduce the number of hours given to worker and could ultimately cut jobs and shutter locations. OCBC strongly advocates other cities evaluate the full economic impacts of hazard pay and work with the business community to find alternatives before considering it.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
NEW EBAY PROGRAM OFFERS FREE ECOMMERCE TRAINING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:*
-
EBay has partnered with CA Small Business Advocate to host the free Up & Running Program, which offers participating businesses education to compete on eBay’s marketplace. Applications are open until March 11. Learn more and apply.
SCAG ASKS BUSINESSES TO FILL OUT SHORT SURVEY TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC RECOVERY STRATEGY:
-
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is looking for businesses to complete a short survey to seek some information to help inform their inclusive economic recovery strategy. Let them know what challenges your industry experiences in achieving more equitable outcomes. Click here to take the survey.
STATE LAUNCHES SAFER AT WORK BUSINESS COMPLIANCE PAGE:
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
|
|
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
ANAHEIM TO GIVE $20 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE:
-
City of Anaheim will provide $20 million in assistance to families and landlords struggling with rent debt due to the pandemic. Renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 can get help with unpaid rent from the past year. Applications will open on March 1 and will be due by March 31. Learn more.
GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CATTLE GRAZING BEGINS AT LIVE OAK PLAZA CONSERVATION AREA:*
-
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) this week kicked off a pilot program in which cattle graze the land at the Agencies’ Live Oak Plaza Conservation Area in Trabuco Canyon. The first grazing period will continue for approximately two to three weeks. The program, approved by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Board of Directors last year, helps to mitigate wildfire risk and promote native vegetation. Learn more!
SANTA ANA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD RELEASES REVISED PERMIT FOR HUNTINGTON BEACH DESALINATION PROJECT:*
-
The revised Tentative Order incorporates Poseidon’s proposed Enhanced Coastal Habitat Restoration Plan which nearly doubles the number of mitigation projects from three to five including four projects inside the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and provides a four-fold increase in restored habitat acreage from 21 acres to 84 acres. Read more.
IVC NAMES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MAIN STAGE AS REZANOOR STAGE:
- Irvine Valley College (IVC) and the Irvine Valley College Foundation are proud to announce the first-ever naming gift for the IVC Performing Arts Center. Masoud Rezanoor, an Irvine resident, pledged $250,000 to provide enrichment opportunities for the music department at IVC. To acknowledge Mr. Rezanoor’s generosity, the Main Stage of the Performing Arts Center will be renamed the Rezanoor Stage.
MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
OC Community: Support Your Local Business!
|
|
|
|
Support Local Restaurants!
|
|
|
|
Giving Back
Donate, Volunteer or Host a Virtual Food Bank
Basic supplies needed
Help students with laptops & other financial assistance
Help support Vital Link's STEM and career pathways for students
|
|
New items are noted with an *
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
|
|
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 the COVID-19 Resources page on OCBC.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
