Related Bristol project in Santa Ana receives unanimous planning approval

Newsletter

Mar182024 September 3, 2024 In a major step forward, the visionary Related Bristol mixed-use redevelopment project in south Santa Ana was recommended for approval by the City’s Planning Commission on a unanimous 7-0 vote following a public hearing on August 12. The plan to transform the 41-acre Metro Town Square Shopping Center into a highly-walkable, people-first urban village with apartments, shops and restaurants and 13 acres of programmed open space along South Bristol Street now goes to the City Council for final approval in September. It has been two years since this $3 billion project was formally submitted to the City for consideration. If approved, it will become the largest private investment in Santa Ana’s 154-year history.

California Jobs First: Orange County Regional Investment Initiative Forum Event Recap

Event

California Jobs First: Orange County Regional Investment Initiative Forum Recap September 24, 2024 | Santa Ana, CA California Jobs First Forum Recap:A Success in Collaboration Thank you to everyone who attended the California Jobs First: Orange County Regional Investment Initiative Forum on September 24, 2024 at Santa Ana College. The event was a great success, drawing nearly 200 attendees and fostering meaningful connections among community members and leaders. The program opened by emphasizing California Jobs First as an initiative to build a community-led economy that balances energy needs with environmental protection. The Regional Investment Initiative allows Orange County to develop tailored economic plans focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Over a year and a half of work has gone into this process, and the forum was an opportunity to reflect on this progress. The next steps for the Regional Investment Initiative are the deployment of Implementation and Catalyst Funding, emphasizing continued collaboration to achieve the initiative’s goals. Implementation and Catalyst Funding are two key funding sources that will support Orange County’s projects moving forward: Implementation Funding: A total of $150 million will be distributed over three years, with $50 million available each year for completing projects. This funding is competitive across California, and projects will need approval from the regional collaborative to be considered by the state. Catalyst Funding: This funding supports projects that aren’t quite ready for full implementation. $1.5 million has been allocated to Sector Investment Coordinators, who will guide projects and align them with additional funding sources. An additional $9 million will fund exploratory projects in the early stages of development and last-mile projects that need final steps like site selection or permitting before they’re ready to go. The collaborative has until September 2026 to decide how to allocate these funds. In the coming months, further guidance will be provided on which activities and projects will receive Implementation and Catalyst Funding, with an informal request for project submissions expected soon. To learn more about California Jobs First, visit here. For questions or more information, contact [email protected]. Detailed Event Agenda English Spanish Vietnamese AGENDA 4:00 p.m. Registration and Dinner 5:00 p.m. Doors Open and Musical Performance 5:30 p.m. Welcome and Recognition of Collaborative Members Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC Natalie Nguyen, Senior Contracts Specialist, Charitable Ventures 5:45 p.m. California Jobs First Overview and Process Jesse Ben-Ron, Vice President of Business Initiatives, OCBC 5:50 p.m. Regional Plan Part I Highlights Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economic Advisor, OCBC 6:00 p.m. Community Outreach and Engagement Sarah Middleton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mission Up Dr. CJ Bishop, Senior Research Analyst, Coast Community College District 6:15 p.m. Priority Industries and Strategies Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC Regional Plan Part II Strategies Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps Joyce Perry, Payomkawichum Kaamalam Johnice Williams, Community Leader Iosefa Alofaituli, Cielo 6:35 p.m. Regional Investment Initiative and Catalyst Next StepsMaria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC 6:55 p.m. Closing Remarks Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC 7:00 p.m. Adjourn The success of the California Jobs First Initiative is made possible by the unwavering support of our exceptional Collaborative Members. We extend our deepest gratitude for their dedication and collaboration. American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CaliforniaApolonio CortesBoilermakers Local 92California State University, FullertonCEO Leadership Alliance Orange CountyChapman UniversityCharitable VenturesChrysalisCieloCitizens Climate LobbyCity of Garden GroveCity of Santa AnaClimate Action CampaignCoastal Corridor AllianceCommunity Action Partnership of Orange CountyConcordia University IrvineCooperacion Santa AnaCox BusinessCSUF Center for EntrepreneurshipDesiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)Donia KayaliFamily Assistance MinistriesFirst 5 Orange CountyGoodwill of Orange CountyGreater Irvine Chamber of CommerceHope BuildersHospitality Training AcademyInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441Iron Workers Local 416Iron Workers Local 433Irvine Valley CollegeJohnice WilliamsKaren SarabiaKevin Phung LA/OC Building and Construction TradesLatino Health AccessLeague of California Cities, Orange County DivisionMaria AguilarNorth Orange County Community College DistrictOCAPICAOCCORDOctaneOrange County Black Chamber of CommerceOrange County Business Council (OCBC)Orange County CoastkeeperOrange County Conservation CorpsOrange County Community FoundationOrange County Department of EducationOrange County GrantmakersOrange County Hispanic Chamber of CommerceOrange County Labor FederationOrange County United WayOrange Workforce AlliancePayomkawichum Kaamalam (Acjachemen)Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582Sarah RiggsSouthern California Association of GovernmentsSheet Metal Workers Local 105SoCal GasSokollin TesSunrise Movement Orange CountySustain SoCalThe Cambodian Family Community CenterThe Kennedy CommissionTHRIVE Santa AnaUnited Association Local 250UMass GlobalUNITE HERE Local 11University of California, IrvineVital Link Learn more at ocbc.org/initiatives/cjf AGENDA 4:00 p.m. Registro y Cena 5:00 p.m. Apertura de Puertas y Actuación Musical 5:30 p.m. Bienvenida y Reconocimiento de los Miembros Colaboradores Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC Natalie Nguyen, Especialista en Contratos Senior, Charitable Ventures 5:45 p.m. Resumen y Proceso de California Jobs First Jesse Ben-Ron, Vicepresidente de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC 5:50 p.m. Aspectos Destacados del Plan Regional Parte I Dr. Wallace Walrod, Consejero Económico Principal, OCBC 6:00 p.m. Extensión y Participación de la Comunidad Sarah Middleton, Presidente y Director General, Mission Up Dr. CJ Bishop, Analista Senior de Investigación, Coast Community College District 6:15 p.m. Industrias y Estrategias Prioritarias Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC Estrategias de Plan Regional Parte II Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps Joyce Perry, Payomkawichum Kaamalam Johnice Williams, Líder de la Comunidad Iosefa Alofaituli, Cielo 6:35 p.m. Iniciativa de Inversión Regional y Próximos Pasos CatalizadoresMaria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC 6:55 p.m. Comentarios FinalesMaria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC 7:00 p.m. Aplazar El éxito de la Iniciativa de California Jobs First es posible gracias al apoyo constante de nuestros Miembros Colaborativos excepcionales. Extendemos nuestra más profunda gratitud por su dedicación y colaboración. American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CaliforniaApolonio CortesBoilermakers Local 92California State University, FullertonCEO Leadership Alliance Orange CountyChapman UniversityCharitable VenturesChrysalisCieloCitizens Climate LobbyCity of Garden GroveCity of Santa AnaClimate Action CampaignCoastal Corridor AllianceCommunity Action Partnership of Orange CountyConcordia University IrvineCooperacion Santa AnaCox BusinessCSUF Center for EntrepreneurshipDesiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)Donia KayaliFamily Assistance MinistriesFirst 5 Orange CountyGoodwill of Orange CountyGreater Irvine Chamber of CommerceHope BuildersHospitality Training AcademyInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441Iron Workers Local 416Iron Workers Local 433Irvine Valley CollegeJohnice WilliamsKaren SarabiaKevin Phung LA/OC Building and…

OCBC Welcomes New Board Members

Press Releases

Jason Bennett, Paul King and Enrique Perez, J.D., Join Orange County Business Council Board of Directors IRVINE, CA (August 9, 2024) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Jason Bennett, Senior Vice President and Director of Branch Banking for Farmers & Merchants Bank (F&M Bank), Paul King, Senior Vice President at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., and Enrique Perez, J.D., Vice Chancellor of Educational Services at Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD), have joined OCBC’s Board of Directors.

Orange County Business Council Hosts Inaugural 2024 Legislative Day

Press Releases

Participants of the first moderated session for the 2024 Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Legislative Day are pictured from left Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community and Government Relations Alberto Sandoval of the University of California, Irvine, and The Honorable Josh Newman from the California State Senate.IRVINE, CA (August 1, 2024) — Orange County’s state and regional legislative representatives shared updates and discussed issues impacting the nation’s sixth most populous county at Orange County Business Council’s (OCBC) inaugural Legislative Day on July 31st at UC Irvine. The sold-out event connected elected officials with Orange County’s stakeholders to discuss issues vital to the economic development of Orange County, California. Modeled after OCBC’s Sacramento Advocacy trips, the day-long event included moderators leading discussions with legislators, followed by Q&A sessions, as well as lunch and networking. The Q&A portion gave legislators an opportunity to hear from business and community leaders about topics impacting stakeholders such as economic development, workforce, housing, and infrastructure. Honorable Legislative Day speakers included California State Senators Catherine Blakespear, Josh Newman, and Tom Umberg. Representing the California State Assembly were Diane Dixon, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Tri Ta, and Avelino Valencia. Representing the Orange County Board of Supervisors in a panel discussion were Chairman Donald P. Wagner and Supervisor Katrina Foley, while Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento participated in a moderated discussion. Among topics and legislation discussed, panelists stressed the importance of many OCBC policy initiatives. Conversations included the necessary reform of California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), implementation of the recent reform of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), retail theft and organized crime prevention, expanding water supply through projects such as the Delta Conveyance Project, funding for higher education, and other issues impacting the region. Title sponsors for the event were University of California, Irvine and UCI Health; luncheon sponsor was Southern California Edison, and legislative sponsors included Cal State Fullerton and Disneyland Resort. 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, California. 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. Media Contact Lizz Mishreki, APR Vice President of Communications Orange County Business Council [email protected]

Workforce Committee Meeting

Uncategorized

July 10, 2024 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
2 Park Plaza, Suite 125, Irvine, CA 92614
Comprised of leaders in business, academia, and government, the Workforce Committee meets throughout the course of the year to discuss a variety of issues relating to career readiness in Orange County. Contact Jesse Ben-Ron for meeting details.

CalOptima Health logo

CalOptima Health gives nearly $25 million in health care workforce grants to 7 OCBC investors

Newsletter

CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors approved nearly $25 million in workforce education grants to seven institutions in Orange County. These grants mark the first phase of the $50 million Provider Workforce Development Initiative, the largest workforce grant ever awarded by CalOptima Health. The Initiative will help to address health disparities and better secure the future delivery of medical and behavioral health care by safety net providers. It also seeks to ease predicted shortages and gaps in the Orange County health care workforce.

Participants exploring California's natural beauty

The Toll Roads hosts annual conservation spring tours

Newsletter

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), operator of The Toll Roads, spotlighted two of its conservation areas to the public for the highly anticipated annual Spring Tours series. Participants had a rare opportunity to explore the natural beauty of protected areas of Orange County on guided walks through the land set aside with the construction of the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. This year’s tours offered a behind-the-scenes experience at two sites: Upper Chiquita Canyon near Coto de Caza in Rancho Santa Margarita and Bonita Creek in Newport Beach. Upper Chiquita, like most of TCA’s other conservation areas, is usually closed to the public except during this once-a-year opportunity.

Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP) partners gather at Cook Elementary School in Garden Grove. From left: Lorry Leigh Belheumeur, Ph.D., Western Youth Services; Sonia Llamas, Ed.D., LCSW, OC Department of Education; Terri Iler, Ed.D., CHOC; Carmen Katsarov, LPCC, CMM, CalOptima Health, and Andrea Stojanov, Hazel Health.

Q&A with CalOptima—Part 2

Newsletter

OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball sat down with Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, for the second in a four-part Q&A series about the organization’s role in keeping Orange County healthy. Learn what CalOptima Health is doing to address the mental health crisis among Orange County’s children?