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Thursday, March 25, 2021 | View as Webpage
ORANGE TIER IN SIGHT, RESTAURANT HELP IS HERE, SOCALGAS ZERO EMISSION PLEDGE, WEBINARS YOU CAN'T MISS, AND MORE!
HOT OFF THE PRESS
OC SET TO REACH ORANGE TIER:*
  • COVID-19 case rates continue to decline, setting OC on pace to advance to the less restrictive orange tier as soon as March 31. Orange tier status would mean additional sectors could reopen, including non-essential office work, bowling alleys and bars that don’t serve food. Furthermore, orange tier would mean indoor capacity increases at houses of worship, restaurants and various retailers. Read more. 

$28.6 BILLION FOR RESTAURANTS:*
  • The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 set aside funds to specifically aid small restaurants and bars that have been struggling amid the pandemic. Any business that solely serves food or drink is eligible. Eligible businesses include:  
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Food trucks 
  • Caterers
  • Brewpubs 
  • Food stands 
  • Taprooms 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY SETS ZERO EMISSIONS PLEDGE:*   
  • SoCalGas has announced a commitment to have net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in both operations and delivery of energy by 2045. SoCalGas aims to support CA with a resilient gas grid through the energy transition to support a carbon neutral economy. Read the full announcement.

TODAY'S WEBINAR! NEWPORT CHAMBER MARCH 2021 ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATE:*

SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 WEBINAR WITH CONGRESSMAN CORREA ON MARCH 26:* 
  • Join Rep. Correa for a Small Business Webinar on March 26 at 12:30 p.m. for a chance to hear from him and a panel of experts from Small Business Development Center. Learn about available resources geared to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Register here.

WORLD TRADE WEEK SO CAL KICKS-OFF ROAD TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY - MAY 6:* 
  • LA Area Chamber of Commerce presents World Trade Week Southern California, an extensive program which features promotions of global trade and support of region in time of crisis. Join Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, City of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, and a featured panel of transportation and supply chain experts for a virtual event focused on economic recovery from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 6. Register here. 

SENATOR MIN’S TOWN HALL ON SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF ON MARCH 26:* 
  • Join Senator Dave Min on March 26 at 5:30 p.m. for a Town Hall focused on grants, loans, and assistance for small businesses. In partnership with Small Business Development Center opportunities about federal, state and local relief programs available for small businesses will be highlighted. Register here. 
ADVOCACY UPDATE
BIA OC OP-ED: LA HABRA LAWSUIT COULD BE GAME CHANGER FOR HOUSING:
  • Lennar Homes has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the City of La Habra after the homebuilder’s proposed Rancho La Habra development was delayed and ultimately denied by the City Council. The project would have converted a private golf course scheduled for closure into a vibrant neighborhood, adding nearly 450 homes and 40 acres of new public open space. Read more.

BUSINESS RESOURCES
BUSINESS GUIDANCE ON EMPLOYEE VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:* 
  • In accordance with the FEHA employer may require their employees have and FDA-approved vaccination against COVID-19 infections. However, if an employee has a protected characteristic such as religious belief or disability then they may be exempt from vaccine requirement without penalty or discrimination. Read more. 

OCBC PARTNERS WITH FACEBOOK FOR FREE “BOOST WITH FACEBOOK” WEBINAR- MARCH 26:*
  • OCBC is proud to join Senator Tom Umberg in co-hosting “Boost with Facebook”, a free virtual webinar to jumpstart your business. Learn everything you need to know, from setting up a business page to communicating with your customers to managing and measuring your marketing. The event will feature remarks from Senator Umberg and OCBC Senior VP of Government Affairs Jennifer Ward. Register here; Boost with Facebook will be held on March 26 at 11:00 a.m.

NATIONAL CORE PANEL DISCUSSION - HEALTH AND HOUSING - MARCH 30:*
  • Join National CORE President and CEO Steve PonTell as he moderates an esteemed panel for a discussion on the health and housing connection in the era of COVID-19. Learn more and register today!

OUTSMART DISASTER WITH EDISON INTERNATIONAL:
  • Edison International has teamed up with Outsmart Disaster Campaign to offer resources and tools to mitigate business interruptions in times of a hazard or natural disaster. Resilient Business Challenge is a new program that focuses on preparation and recovery from disasters. Join other OC businesses on April 7 at 10 a.m. so your business can be more resilient when disaster strikes. To register, click here. 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
UNITED WAY’S 2021 SCORECARD EVENT, UNITED FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY:*
  • Join United Way on April 15 at 9 a.m. for the feature of their United for Financial Security initiative. Geared to ensure homeless community members have a place to call home, students have the ability to succeed in college and achieve career readiness and families have access to necessary resources. Register here.   

OCTA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE:*  
  • Do you know someone who wants to make a difference in OC transportation? OCTA is on the search for people to join its 34-member committee, which actively provides input on exploration of traffic improvements and participates in public communication. OCTA looks for dedicated community leaders interested in transportation issues. Learn more.

SERVE OC TAXPAYERS AND HELP ADVISE COAST COLLEGES DEVELOPMENT:* 
  • Coast Colleges is seeking a taxpayer's representative to serve on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee responsible for reviewing expenditures from construction activity associated with the Measure M General Obligation Bond. Click here to learn more and apply! 

LIFESTREAM BLOOD BANK OPENS NEW PLACENTIA DONOR CENTER - DONATE TODAY!:
  • LifeStream is a nonprofit, independent blood bank that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern CA hospitals in six counties. On Feb. 8 LifeStream opened its first OC -based, fixed-site location, Placentia Donor Center. LifeStream is excited to be a part of OC community and elevate local blood donation process. To learn more or get involved, click here. 

COVID-19 TENANT RELIEF ACT:
  • Under the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent are eligible for financial assistance. To apply or check eligibility requirements, click here. 
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
LA CHARGERS PARTNER WITH SCHOOLSFIRST CREDIT UNION TO HELP TITLE I SCHOOLS:* 
  • Chargers Impact Fund powered by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union now offers “Back to Football” grants to aid Title I high schools in relaunch of tackle football programs for either 2021 spring or fall season. Qualifying high schools can receive up to $1,500. Application deadline is June 4. Apply here. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
OCBC EVENTS
April 6 & 7, 2021 | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join OCBC for a series of exclusive virtual meetings with elected officials and state leaders.
For more information contact Jennifer Ward, OCBC Sr. V.P., Advocacy and Government Affairs.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
April 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Register with Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC V.P., Economic and Workforce Development.
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.
If you have questions on how to get connected with OCBC online,
contact James Alley, Director of Communications, at 714.501.9893 or jalley@ocbc.org.