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Tuesday, June 15, 2021 | View as Webpage
DUNN & DONE - CA REOPENS, THEME PARK PLANS, CHAPMAN'S ECONOMIC FORECAST, FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
DUNN & DONE – CA REOPENS TODAY AFTER 15 MONTHS: 
  • Much to celebrate today—and more work to do—as CA emerges from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions of the past year. In March 2020, OCBC quickly pivoted to emphasize masks, physical distancing and other safety protocols with the mantra “Good Health is Good Business.” And these efforts worked. OC has done a great job lowering COVID-19 rates and getting residents vaccinated. Starting today, guidelines for daily life and businesses are significantly relaxed. After pressure from OCBC and statewide business leaders, Cal/OSHA finally updated its draft workplace standards to conform with CDC/CDPH mask rules. Gov. Newsom is expected to issue an Executive Order to ensure these go into effect on June 17. As CA's economy reopens, businesses must continue to battle for clarity and support from state leaders.

THEME PARKS ADJUST TO REOPENING GUIDELINES:
  • With today's reopening guidelines eliminating restrictions for many businesses, mega events and theme parks still have rules to follow. Read more about how Disneyland and other local parks are welcoming back guests with safety and visitor experience in mind.

TOMORROW! CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY’S ECONOMIC FORECAST:
  • Join Chapman University on June 16 at 3 p.m. for an interactive discussion with experts and business leaders from across the country. The conference is hybrid with some in-person tickets available. Register here. 

OC CLERK-RECORDER’S “HITCHED AT HONDA CENTER” WINS NATIONAL AWARD:
  • Congrats! OC Clerk-Recorder won a County Administration and Management Achievement Award. "Hitched at Honda Center" reimagined marriage services to ensure safety throughout the pandemic. OCBC also honored the Clerk-Recorder with an Honorable Mention at the 2020 Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards. Read more.

SUPPORT STAND & SALUTE GIVING DAY:
  • 211OC, Goodwill of Orange County and other local nonprofits aim to raise $125,000 for their shared vision to support OC veterans and military families through Stand & Salute Giving Day on June 17. This event is a 24-hour online effort to raise critical funds for local OC veteran organizations. Click here to learn more and donate.
ADVOCACY UPDATE
WORKFORCE HOUSING COMMITTEE TALKS VMT, HOUSING ELEMENTS:
  • OCBC’s Workforce Housing Committee hosted Jennifer Hernandez, Partner with Holland & Knight and expert on CA housing policy, for a discussion on how new regulations are making development more expensive while planning focused on reducing vehicle miles traveled exacerbates racial disparities in homeownership. Hernandez is working with The Two Hundred on closing the racial wealth gap through homeownership. OC cities also informed OCBC members of the progress of their housing element updates. 

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE HOSTS PORT OF LONG BEACH:
  • On June 8, OCBC welcomed Joel Perler, Marketing Manager of Economic Development for Port of Long Beach. Mr. Perler described how COVID-19 impacted the nation's second-busiest port and how the Port is mitigating congestion while delivering $1.7 billion in capital improvements over the next decade. Mr. Perler also updated the Committee on the Port's plan to reach zero emissions by 2035.  Read more here.  

BUSINESS RESOURCES
GO GLOBAL WITH U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND AMAZON:
  • Today, join U.S. Commercial Service for the kick-off of educational sessions that give U.S. exporters information to get ahead on Amazon's global selling platforms. Learn how easy it is to "Go Global" using Amazon's various global Marketplaces, with a deep dive on Amazon's Singapore, UAE and Saudi Arabia platforms. Register here. 

OCTA'S 405 FORWARD PROGRAM PROMOTES LOCAL BUSINESSES:
  • OCTA partnered with local cities to launch a free program promoting businesses near the I-405 Improvement Project. 405 Forward encourages communities to share favorite local restaurants, retailers and service providers using the 405 Forward Facebook group. Google Maps will also share interactive information about participating businesses. For more info, contact OCTA's I-405 Improvement Project outreach team. 

GOV. NEWSOM LAUNCHES RESTAURANTS SUPPORT PROGRAM AS STATE REOPENS:
  • While the state will fully reopen on June 15, restaurants are encouraged to continue outdoor operations. Gov. Newsom expanded regulatory relief for restaurants and bars to maintain safety protocols through the end of 2021. Read more.

US CHAMBER LAUNCHES AMERICA WORKS INITIATIVE:

WEBINAR ON CLEANTECH OPPORTUNITIES: 
  • Join U.S. Commercial Services on June 24 to learn more about clean technologies product and service export opportunities, U.S. government priorities on climate and cooperation with China, Intellectual property rights protection, export controls and available U.S. government resources. Register here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CA’S DROUGHT EMERGENCY:
  • Early into the summer season, Gov. Newsom declared a drought emergency for 41 of the state’s 58 counties. Thanks to years of preparations, OC's water districts are well-equipped to continue providing excellent service despite the state's drought conditions. Read more. 

LATEST OCHCA COVID-19 RESOURCES:
  • OCHCA’s mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics bring the vaccine to you! To find a location, click here or call the OC COVID-19 Hotline during their new hours Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proof of residency/employment are no longer required, and everyone aged 12 and up without a medical exemption is encouraged to get vaccinated. 

TODAY! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK ORANGE PICKING:
  • Join Orange County REALTORS® at San Juan Historical Society on June 15 at 8 a.m. to pick oranges for Second Harvest Food Bank. Water and snacks are provided and anyone over the age of 10 is welcome to join the fun. E-mail Dirissy Doan to sign up. 

NOCC HONORS THERESA HARVEY:
  • Join North Orange County Chamber on June 23 at 5 p.m. for its annual Board Installation and Membership Meeting honoring the retirement of Theresa Harvey, NOCC President and CEO. Register here.

OCHCA COVID-19 COMMUNITY SURVEY:
  • OC Health Care Agency wants to help you. Click here to confidentially fill out a survey with your struggles and challenges a year after the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey results will help determine the community’s greatest needs.  

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
FIVEPOINT'S NET-ZERO IMPACT:
  • FivePoint's new development in Valencia, CA will have zero carbon footprint with over 21,000 homes on 15,000 acres; it is the nation's largest net-zero development. Houses will have solar, electric vehicle chargers and designs that reduce the need for air conditioning, heating and ventilation. Additional creative initiatives like a methane capture program at a dairy farm and rooftop solar installations in disadvantaged neighborhoods assist in extra carbon credits to reach net-zero. Learn more.

OCDE AND CHOC TEAM UP TO ADDRESS STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH:
  • Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents in OC. OC Department of Ed and CHOC are working to boost mental health services on school campuses including “well spaces” where students can visit counselors, do yoga or meditate and relax. Read more.

METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT BOARD HIRES ADEL HAGEKHALIL AS NEW GM:
  • On June 8, Met's 38-member board confirmed Hagekhalil as new general manager. Hagekhalil has 32 years of experience in water, environmental and infrastructure management with LA's sanitation department and street services department. A civil engineer and Fullerton resident, Hagekhalil emphasizes innovation, sustainability and unity as priorities as he prepares to lead the organization providing water to 19 million SoCal residents and businesses.
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.
Register for free here. For more information contact Lauren Martin, OCBC Events Manager.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
July 9 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Featuring a discussion with Senator Josh Newman, District 29.
To register, contact Connor Medina, OCBC Government Affairs Manager.

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.
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.