Local leaders, government and public-private partnerships honored by Orange County Business Council
IRVINE, CA (December 7, 2023) — Orange County Business Council has announced the winners of its 13th 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.
Public agencies submitted 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 in Irvine December 6. Award winners and honorable mentions include:
Business Retention and Expansion
Winner: City of Hope Orange County: Hope is at Work
To combat our state’s dire nurse staffing predicament, City of Hope Orange County teamed up with local colleges and business consortiums in 2022 to recruit over two dozen physician experts and 300 skilled nurses and other employees for City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center.
Honorable Mention: OC Community Resources – OC Community Services: The Orange County Veterans Employment Program
The Orange County Veterans Employment Program (VEP) provides a variety of wraparound and career services designed for active military who are near separation, or who have recently separated, and for their eligible dependents.
Incorporating Innovative Technology
Winner: OC Community Resources – OC Community Services – Office on Aging: Access to Technology Program
The Orange County Office on Aging (OoA) Access to Technology Program (ATT) aims to reduce social isolation and increase access to virtual services for older adults and people with disabilities by providing access to technological devices (i.e. iPads), broadband service, and training.
Building & Land Reuse and Community Revitalization
Winner: City of Santa Ana: My First Home Down Payment Assistance Loan Program
The City of Santa Ana committed $3 million with its unprecedented Down Payment Assistance Program to help provide homeownership opportunities for lower income households. Last year, 21 families were able to make homeownership a reality.
Sustainable and Green Development
Winner: OC Community Resources – OC Parks: Capistrano County Beach and Doheny State Beach Sand Replenishment Project
To address coastal erosion, the Capistrano County Beach and Doheny State Beach Sand Replenishment Project replenishes about 45,000 cubic yards of sand along a one-mile stretch of beach using repurposed sand from flood control efforts by Orange County Public Works (OCPW).
Public-Private Partnership
Winner: Anaheim Public Library: Foster Youth Initiative 2022
Partnering with CASA OC, Orangewood Foundation, and Covenant House, Anaheim Public Library provided 652 “We’re Here for You” library cards to foster youth and youth in need who do not have a permanent address and/or cannot obtain a parent’s signature.
Honorable Mention: City of San Juan Capistrano: Salida Del Sol
The City of San Juan Capistrano partnered with Jamboree Housing to develop a Permanent Supportive Housing community and a new city hall on the current city hall site. The project will provide onsite supportive housing with services for 40 formerly homeless individuals and veterans.
Leadership in Public Service
Winner: California State Senator Josh Newman 29th District
California State Senator Josh Newman helped secure an $8.5 million grant through the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) allowing RevHubOC to convene leading OC public, private, and non-profit organizations under NorthSTAR to build a social enterprise ecosystem for under-represented and under-resourced communities.
The 13th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards Reception was made possible through the generosity of silver sponsors The Boeing Company, CalOptima Health, Orange County Department of Education, Spectrum and Verizon, and supporter sponsors Brookfield Residential, City of Santa Ana, Kaiser Permanente, Orange County Power Authority and SoCalGas.
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 Orange County’s economic development. The Council’s core initiatives include advocating for adequate investment in regional and statewide infrastructure, education development that leads to a competitive workforce, advocating for a 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.
