OC United Way opens new community resource

Feb52024 Feb 5, 2024  Image courtesy of OCUW   Orange County United Way has opened the Varanasi Equity Workspace, a new resource that offers organizations a place to meet, advance their purpose, and work together to affect equitable change in the community. It’s free to use and interested parties can reserve it by calling the Orange County United Way general phone number (949) 660-7600. This year, Orange County United Way celebrates its 100-year anniversary. The opening of this new space kicks off the organization’s impactful efforts for the next 100 years. 

Business leaders, law enforcement support retail theft bill

Feb52024 Feb 5, 2024 Video and photo courtesy of OCBC   With property crime—including retail theft—increasing in all 34 Orange County cities and across the state, Assembly bill 1772, if passed, would add stricter penalties including jail time. Due to the lack of consequences put into effect by Prop 47 in 2014, many instances of property theft, especially retail theft, go under reported. OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball joined bill co-author Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) to speak at a press conference in Sacramento on January 22. OCBC advocates on behalf of its investors for the ability to operate in safe communities where their employees, and customers, are protected. A 2022 California Attorney General report showed that property crime increased 6.2% statewide. 

Great Park Neighborhoods highlights Irvine as an emerging hub

Jan222024 Jan 22, 2024 Image courtesy of FivePoint   As a major employer and economic leader in Southern California, FivePoint’s Great Park Neighborhoods has designated Irvine as an emerging hub for jobs and innovation. The city’s economic vitality, high-growth industries, and low unemployment are just some of the reasons why residents have chosen to live and work in Irvine.

SoCal’s first electric air taxi charger to be installed by Clay Lacy Aviation at JWA

Jan222024 Jan 22, 2024 Photo courtesy of Clay Lacy Aviation   Clay Lacy Aviation has partnered with another California aviation company to install Southern California’s first electric air taxi charger at John Wayne Airport. The installation is part of Lacy’s planned redevelopment at JWA. 

Disneyland Resort awards workforce development grants

Jan222024 Jan 22, 2024 Image courtesy of Disneyland Resort   To help develop, prepare and empower Orange County’s workforce, Disneyland Resort provides career readiness opportunities to Anaheim students and residents through its community workforce development initiative. The resort recently awarded its annual workforce development grants to nonprofit organizations including Anaheim Union High School District, My Day Counts and Anaheim Family YMCA. Over the last six years, Disney has provided more than $6.5 million in financial support and countless hours by Disney VoluntEARS, impacting more than 10,000 lives.

RSCCD infuses $2 billion into Orange County economy

Jan222024 Jan 22, 2024 Photo courtesy of RSCCD   Rancho Santiago Community College District’s (RSCCD) latest Economic Impact Report reveals that the district, which consists of Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College, added nearly $2 billion in income to Orange County’s economy while former students employed in the county workforce contributed $1.5 billion in income. The data affirms the district’s goal to provide education and training to ensure that students move into high-paying jobs in Orange County.

Goodwill OC opens new store

Jan82024 Jan 8, 2024  Photo courtesy of Goodwill of Orange County   Goodwill of Orange County opened its second store in the city of Orange on December 8th. The new store will serve a growing demand in North Orange, as well as Villa Park and Anaheim Hills. With the goal of doubling its retail footprint and impact in OC over the next 10 years, the new store marks the second new location toward that goal. Goodwill of Orange County marks its 100th anniversary in 2024.

Hoag among the first in the world to successfully implant first dual chamber leadless pacemaker system

Jan82024 Jan 8, 2024  Photo courtesy of Hoag   Hoag recently achieved a cardiac medical milestone by successfully implanting the world’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker. Smaller than a AAA battery, the pacemaker system, known as AVEIR™ DR, by Abbott, treats patients with various slow or abnormal heart rhythms. Hoag is one of a few initial sites in the country to participate in the launch of this new technology.

CHOC announces merger with San Diego’s Rady Children’s

Jan82024 Jan 8, 2024 Image courtesy of CHOC   Children’s HealthCare of California, the parent company of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center, the parent company of Rady Children Hospital-San Diego (Rady Children’s), have entered into an agreement to merge CHOC and Rady Children’s under a single parent entity called Rady Children’s Health. The merger between the two nationally recognized pediatric health systems is expected to help with recruitment and retention of workforce talent. CHOC’s President and CEO, Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, and Rady Children’s President and CEO, Patricio A. Frias, MD, will be appointed co-CEOs of the new parent company. 

OCBC strongly represented in The Orange County Register’s 2023 “Orange County’s 125 Most Influential”

Jan82024 Jan 8, 2024 Image courtesy of The Orange County Register (Composite by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)   Orange County Business Council has always been recognized as the key organization where leaders come together to focus on critical issues. This distinction was recently highlighted when 18 OCBC investors were highlighted in The Orange County Register’s 2023 list of most influential people in Orange County Five of the leaders recognized are members of the OCBC Board of Directors. Congratulations to Jeff Ball – President and CEO of OCBC, Michael Hunn – Chief Executive Officer of CalOptima Health, Darrell Johnson – Chief Executive Officer of Orange County Transportation Authority, Steven Oh – Senior Vice President for Development of Related California and William Shopoff – President and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments, L.P. for this recognition. Leaders from eight additional organizations who are represented on OCBC’s Board of Directors were also recognized, as well as five partner organizations that work closely with OCBC. The engagement of influential leaders is critical to OCBC’s work in driving economic development for the nation’s sixth most populous county. The OC Register recognized OCBC as Orange County’s leading promoter of business and community development. To get involved with OCBC and engage with local leaders, contact OCBC Vice President of Investor Relations Carl Heft.