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Tuesday, July 13, 2021 | View as Webpage
COMMUNITY COLLEGES CRITICAL TO RECOVERY, OPPOSE SB 12, OC FAIR, JOIN VIRTUAL CLB WITH UNION BANK PRESIDENT AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DUNN & DUNN: OC’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE KEY TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY: 
  • Check out this op-ed by OCBC’s President and CEO, Lucy Dunn to learn how OC’s nine community colleges can “catalyze the economy to the sub 3% unemployment rate, highest median income, and highest per capita GRP in Southern California that Orange County is accustomed to having.” Thanks OC Register! 

OCBC OPPOSES SB 12—NO NEW HOUSING REGS: 
  • Yesterday, OCBC testified in opposition to SB 12, a bill that would further impede efforts to solve the statewide housing crisis by curtailing opportunities for renters and homebuyers. The bill would add new regulations and burdens on new housing and render many pending projects infeasible. Read the op-ed on how this bill harms Californians by Lucy Dunn, BIASC and BizFed LA.  Thanks again OC Register!
 
THIS WEEK! OC FAIR RETURNS:  
  • OC Fair springs back to action this Friday, July 16. The awaited reopening comes with many upgrades like an earlier start time and a full slate of concerts that you don’t want to miss! With attendance limitations tickets must be purchased in advanced for certain days. Buy tickets now! OC Fair is an economic development powerhouse for this county!
  
OCBC CELEBRATES CA SUSTAINABILITY DECATHLON IN OC: 
  • “This is great. A blast from the past comes forward to the future,” said Lucy Dunn, OCBC President and CEO, which championed the Solar Decathlon in years past. “So happy our legislators are bringing back funding to O.C., too! We have been a donor county for decades.” Read more.  

UCI’S COVID-19 TEST HAS RECORD BREAKING SPEED:   
  • UCI’s John Chaput – professor of pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, and molecular biology and biochemistry – and Ph.D. student Kefan Yang recently developed, REVEALR, which offers an easy-to-use point-of-care platform that has a one-hour turnaround time and avoids the need for expensive instrumentation. Read more. 

REGISTER TODAY AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION! CLB FEATURING GREG SEIBLY:
  • Virtually join OCBC on July 21 at 8 a.m. for the second event in the 2021 Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Greg Seibly, President, Head of Regional Banking, Union Bank. Hear exclusive insights on the effects of record home prices, the pandemic’s substantial impact on minority- and women-owned small businesses, how Union Bank is addressing social and racial injustice amplified by the pandemic, and more! Register for free today.   
ADVOCACY
OCBC JOINS COALITION TO AMEND ONEROUS HOSPITAL SEISMIC MANDATES:
  • OCBC, hospitals and business organizations statewide are calling on the Legislature to amend the state’s outdated mandate requiring hospitals to meet infeasible and unreasonable earthquake preparedness standards. Hospitals have spent billions to ensure their buildings can withstand an earthquake, but the state’s seismic mandate could force hospitals to close their doors. OCBC is asking for the standards to be reevaluated and delayed by seven years.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WELCOMED SENATOR JOSH NEWMAN:
  • OCBC’s Government Affairs Committee hosted state Senator Josh Newman for a discussion with OCBC members on the state budget, OC mobility solutions, his role on the CA Transportation Commission, and more. The Senator listened to suggestions and concerns from the business community relating to proposed warehouse regulations, the unemployment insurance debt and Private Attorneys’ General Act (PAGA) reform. Thank you, Senator Newman! 

FUNDS SECURED FOR CA SUSTAINABILITY DECATHLON IN OC: 
  • On July 6, Senator Dave Min announced that, with support from OCBC, he secured $5 million to bring the CA Sustainability Decathlon to OC, which challenges 20 teams from around the world to design, build, and operate green energy-powered houses that meet net-zero energy building standards, and will attract global media coverage and tourism to OC!  

OCBC SUPPORTS BILL CLOSING DIGITAL DIVIDE:
  • Yesterday, OCBC testified in support of SB 556, a bill that helps bring high-speed internet to more Californian communities. SB 556 is a critical step towards expediting the deployment of broadband infrastructure to connect students, businesses and residents living in areas where broadband options are limited. The Assembly Communications & Conveyance Committee voted to advance the bill yesterday. Thank you Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva for voting yes!

SCAG TO HOLD GREENPRINT MEETING DUE TO BIZ COMMUNITY ADVOCACY:
  • OCBC and SoCal business partners convinced Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to hold a public meeting on SoCal Greenprint, an online regional mapping tool impacting land use planning and threatening future development. SCAG voted 25-24 to give stakeholders more input on Greenprint and ensure it does not unintentionally restrict housing and infrastructure projects. Read the coalition letter. 
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CLEAN CA DAY IN DISTRICT 12:  
  • Clean CA Day in District 12 detailed how Caltrans, City of Placentia and Chrysalis will work to acquire massive investments in litter collection, community engagement and education to transform unsightly roadsides into spaces of pride for all Californians. Chrysalis will continue to serve the community by providing both a workforce pipeline and jobs to individuals seeking a second chance in life. Keep up the great work! 

CITY OF HOPE OC NAMED BEST PLACE TO WORK:
  • City of Hope OC was recently named one of OC's best places to work by Orange County Business Journal. The world-renowned center for cancer research and treatment is delivering on a $1B vision to expand access to its compassionate care and scientific breakthroughs in OC, and has kept this promise to both patients and employees. Great job and congratulations! 
BUSINESS RESOURCES
APPLY FOR THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL: 
  • Department of Commerce is seeking applications for the United States Investment Advisory Council (IAC). This council serves as a key conduit for stakeholder input on how best to support U.S. economic growth through the attraction and retention of foreign direct investment (FDI). Learn more.  

TODAY! OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN UP TO $10M IN CONTRACT BONDS: 
  • SBA’s Orange County / Inland Empire District office is hosting a webinar today at 2 p.m. on an overview of contract bonds and how SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program reduces barriers to bonding and helps increase contracting opportunities. There will be a Q&A session for attendees at the end. Register here. 

TODAY! GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT® MOBILE APP: 
  • Join Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB), in partnership with the County of Orange and Entertainment® for a virtual orientation session today at 2 p.m. Participants will learn about the new Entertainment® mobile dining and activity app program and can sign up for a free advertisement. Learn more or register. 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
TODAY! DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AND INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION:  
  • Join OC Human Relations, Asian Americans in Action, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church and WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics) for the screening of “Let the People Decide” – a feature-length documentary about the struggle for voting rights from the 1960’s to present. Virtual attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a panel-discussion with the filmmaker, Gavin Guerra at 5 p.m. this evening. Register now.  

SAVE THE DATE! OCDE PRESENTS WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
  • Join OC Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares on July 21 at 2 p.m. for an online  colloquium on ethnic studies featuring distinguished education leaders who will define ethnic studies and discuss CA’s model curriculum.  
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
EVENTS
Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast featuring Greg Seibly
July 21 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Join OCBC virtually for the second event in the 2021 Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Series featuring Greg Seibly, President, Head of Regional Banking, Union Bank. Hear from Greg on the effects of record home prices, the pandemic’s substantial impact on minority- and women-owned small businesses, how Union Bank is addressing social and racial injustice amplified by the pandemic, and more!
Register for free here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS*
Today! July 13 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Featuring a presentation from Southern California Edison.
To register, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.

August 4 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Hear from major employers in Orange County on how to construct a DE&I plan and how to hold yourself accountable through metrics and benchmarks. 
OCBC members, register here.

August 11 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Featuring a discussion with Ian Williamson, Dean of UCI Paul Merage School of Business and Sridhar Sundaram, Dean of CSUF College of Business and Economics.
To register, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP, Workforce and Economic Development.

*OCBC Committee meetings are an exclusive benefit offered to OCBC members.
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.