Local leaders, government and public-private partnerships honored by Orange County Business Council
IRVINE, CA (Nov. 18, 2022)—Orange County Business Council has announced the winners of its 12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards. The awards program recognizes public agencies and leaders for implementing policies and programs that cut through red tape, eliminate barriers to economic growth and open doors to private sector jobs creation in Orange County.
More than 20 public agencies submitted 34 nominations in six award categories. The winners were selected by a diverse committee of business and city leaders, chaired by Mark Taylor, California Director of Government Operations for The Boeing Company and OCBC Board member. The awards were announced live at a reception November 17 in Irvine. Winners and honorable mentions for each category, include:
Business Retention and Expansion
Award: City of Garden Grove: Foods of Garden Grove
The City of Garden Grove launched the Foods of Garden Grove program in July 2021 which lists 150 local restaurants to help expand their reach. The City’s casual dining sales tax revenue has grown at a faster rate than the state’s overall since launching the program.
Building & Land Reuse and Community Revitalization
Award: City of Santa Ana: MainPlace Specific Plan
The City of Santa Ana’s MainPlace Specific Plan is an ongoing transit-oriented redevelopment of the MainPlace site, aiming to add 1,900 housing units and economic development opportunities.
Honorable Mention: City of Fountain Valley: Prado Family Homes
Prado Family Homes is the City of Fountain Valley’s first new, fully affordable housing project in almost 20 years. It adds 50 units for low-income families and includes an onsite social services office.
Incorporating Innovative Technology
Award: City of Tustin: Streamline Tustin Initiative
The Streamline Tustin Initiative leverages technology to improve government processes for businesses and residents, including accelerated building plan reviews, online plan submittals and more. From 2020 to 2021, the number of permits able to be issued increased by over 200, among other improvements to the development process.
Sustainable and Green Development
Award: Orange County Transportation Authority: OCTA College Pass Program
The College Pass Program provides Orange County’s 120,000 community college students free access to OCTA bus routes, reducing transportation costs by more than $10M while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4,000 tons.
Public-Private Partnership
Award: Orange County Health Care Agency & CalOptima Health: Be Well OC Orange Campus
Be Well OC is a coalition of hundreds of OC organizations supporting a high-quality behavioral health system. In 2018, CalOptima Health and OCHCA entered an agreement to deliver behavioral health services at the first Be Well OC Orange Campus, which has served an estimated 2,400 CalOptima Health members since opening.
Honorable Mention: City of Irvine & City of Hope Orange County: Lennar Foundation Cancer Center
City of Hope OC’s Lennar Foundation Cancer Center opened in Irvine in 2022 after close collaboration with the City and County agencies. This partnership created more than 350 new professional jobs in Irvine as well as a new regional hub for medical innovation.
Leadership in Public Service
Award: Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen
Clerk-Recorder Nguyen has served in the role since 2013. In recent years, he has implemented numerous tax-cutting and streamlining initiatives. In 2022, the Clerk-Recorder expanded the South County branch in response to demand and reduced passport photo fees. Clerk-Recorder Nguyen’s department also received national attention for offering wedding services safely at Honda Center throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 12th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Reception was made possible through the generosity of silver sponsors The Boeing Company, CalOptima Health, SoCalGas, Spectrum and Verizon. Supporter sponsors included Cox Communications and Transportation Corridor Agencies.
About Orange County Business Council
For over 25 years, Orange County Business Council (OCBC) has been representing and promoting the region’s business community together with government and academia to enhance the economic development of the nation’s sixth largest county, Orange County. The Council’s initiatives include advocating for adequate investment in regional and statewide infrastructure, education development that leads to a competitive workforce, advocating for a supply and range of housing, and developing pro-business solutions that lead to economic growth. Member organizations include businesses and local organizations representing a diverse cross section of industries including biomedical, construction, education, financial services, health care, manufacturing, municipalities, nonprofit, real estate, technology, tourism, transportation, real estate and utilities. For more information, visit ocbc.org.
Media Contact:
Lizz Mishreki, APR
Vice President of Communications
Orange County Business Council
