The Leading Voice of Business
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FED FUNDING COMING TO OC AND CITIES, CA TIER CHANGES, PICK YOUR VACCINE, CONGRATS TO SUP-ELECT KATRINA FOLEY, IRWD TOURS, AND MORE! |
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HOT OFF THE PRESS:
HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK–HOUSE PASSES $1.9 TRILLION PANDEMIC AID PACKAGE – WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OC?:*
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The House approved, and President Biden is expected to sign this week, $1.9 trillion relief package includes funding for state and local governments, schools, vaccines and more. OC cities can expect to receive a combined total of over $690 million of the $65 billion being distributed to cities nationwide. Cities can use this funding for revenue loss due to COVID-19 and infrastructure investments like water, sewer and broadband. The aid also includes $30 billion for restaurants, $1,400 stimulus checks, $300 per week for unemployment, and beneficial tax credits. Learn more.
CA RELEASES NEW TIER GUIDELINES - ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION:*
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In response to higher levels of vaccine distribution across the state, the tiered reopening system has been altered to allow counties to reopen sooner. Read a full industry specific breakdown here.
YOU CAN NOW PICK YOUR VACCINE THROUGH OTHENA APP - DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY:*
COSTA MESA MAYOR KATRINA FOLEY WINS OC SUPERVISOR SPECIAL ELECTION:*
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Congratulations to Orange County Supervisor-Elect Katrina Foley, who appears to have won the special election in the Second Supervisorial District. OCBC looks forward to working with Supervisor-Elect Foley and the Board of Supervisors as OC continues making progress toward safely reopening. See election results here.
CDC LOOSENS RULES FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE:*
OCBC’S NATALIE RUBALCAVA TO SERVE ON ANAHEIM HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE COMMITTEE:*
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HEUC is comprised of a variety of stakeholder groups and Anaheim residents. The main purpose of HEUC is to advise and provide input and perspective to staff throughout the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update project process. State law requires the Housing Element to be updated every eight years in order to remain relevant and reflective of the community’s changing housing needs. California is now entering its sixth cycle, covering a period between 2021 and 2029, and the State law requires that the City update and adopt their 2021-2029 Housing Element by October 2021. The first public workshop will take place on Wednesday March 24, 2021 at 6pm.
SOCALGAS FUNDS FOR CLEANER VEHICLES:*
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Fleet owners in SoCal can now apply for incentive funding from SoCalGas to replace diesel trucks with near-zero emissions natural gas trucks. Apply for up to $100,000 towards the purchase of new natural gas trucks and compressed natural gas fueling stations. Applications open through June 1, 2021. Learn more.
OCBC'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WELCOMES VIEWSONIC AND OCTA:*
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Yesterday, OCBC hosted a workforce development committee meeting that featured Vincent Chou, Director of Human Resources for ViewSonic Corporation, and Kristyn Archer, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist and Amber Hahlbeck, Talent Acquisition Specialist, for OCTA. Both organizations spoke about their workforce needs and what skills, attitudes and behaviors make an exceptional employee. If your organization is interested in presenting to educators and school administrators at one of these meetings, please contact Jesse Ben-Ron at jbenron@ocbc.org.
ORANGE COUNTY VACCINE PODS - UPDATE:*
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ADVOCACY
OCBC SUPPORTS CALIFORNIA TOURISM RECOVERY ACT:*
- Although Disneyland and other amusement parks will be able to reopen soon, the tourism industry sorely needs support from the State. SB 285 (McGuire), the California Tourism Recovery Act, would provide Visit California with $45 million to implement their “Calling All Californians” campaign to jumpstart travel when it is safe to do so. Domestic leisure travel offers the best immediate opportunity for invigorating Orange County’s economy after the pandemic. Read OCBC’s letter here.
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WELCOMES CA HIGH-SPEED RAIL’S LADONNA DICAMILLO:
- On March 9, OCBC’s Infrastructure Committee heard a presentation from LaDonna DiCamillo, Southern California Regional Director for CA High-Speed Rail Authority. Ms. DiCamillo provided an overview of the high-speed rail’s progress in the Central Valley and the planning underway in Southern California. She also mentioned the importance of extending the state’s cap-and-trade program from 2030 to 2050. Committee meetings are a benefit for OCBC members only. If interested in membership, please contact Jennifer Ward.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE TURBULANCE - SUMMIT SERIES:
- Learn how to embrace turbulence with Summit Series of Innovation featuring Executive Director Innovation Incubator David Ochi on March 19 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.. Inspired by local guides who conquered the highest mountains, this series aims to prepare entrepreneurs to conquer their highest goals with tools to endure turbulent times. To register, click here.
NEW FUNDS FOR CA SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM:
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California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) announced for new rounds of funds for CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program per Gov. Gavin Newsom’s go ahead of a legislative package which provides $2.075 billion for small business impacted by the pandemic and a $50 million allocation for non-profit cultural institutions. Read more.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
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COVID-19 NEWS
TRAVEL GUIDELINES TO COME AFTER MORE AMERICANS ARE FULLY VACCINATED:*
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Due to concerns for a travel related surge US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will not release travel guidelines until more people are fully vaccinated. 10% of population is currently vaccinated and CDC awaits number of vaccinations to increase before release of regulations. Read more.
TWO MASKS ARE BETTER THAN ONE:
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Wearing a mask is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Double masking" is an effective way to improve fit and filtration. A close-fitting cloth mask can be worn on top of a surgical/disposable mask to improve the seal of the mask to the face. Read more.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
JOIN SBA TO LEARN WEDDING INDUSTRY’S ROAD TO RECOVERY & REBUILDING:
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SBA Orange County/Inland Empire will hold a 5-week webinar series on the wedding industry’s road to recovery and rebuilding. Industry experts will be covering topics specific to the wedding and events industry that small businesses can apply during the pandemic. Register here.
HELP OC UNITED WAY SUPPORT SOUTH OC FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID:
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Orange County United Way is asking for your support. They are helping 100 South Orange County families to get on the path to financial security. The program will provide them a financial specialist, a financial literacy workshop and a laptop for loan. Learn more and get involved.
GET TESTED NOW! WHERE TO GET TESTING IN OC
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
IRWD LAUNCHES NEW VIRTUAL TOURS:*
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Irvine Ranch Water District has kicked off a new series of virtual events, featuring prerecorded tours and live presentations by IRWD water quality experts. The rotating series begins next week and will repeat in the fall. Join the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary Virtual Tour on March 17 at 12:00 p.m. To learn about other virtual tours and to register, click here.
NOSSAMAN CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH WITH STAFF HIGHLIGHTS:*
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To celebrate Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we asked a few of the phenomenal women at Nossaman to share their personal insights and stories of inspiration. This week we'd like you to meet Ashley Walker, Senior Policy Advisor. Ashley provides legislative and regulatory solutions for a variety of clients with interests in education, sustainable communities, housing, and water issues in the State of California. Read more.
MISSED OCBC'S PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS? View them by clicking here. PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
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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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OC Community: Support Your Local Business!
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Support Local Restaurants!
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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
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New items are noted with an *
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
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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.
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