News & Media

Media

If you are with the media and would like to request an interview or quote, or if your organization would like to request OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball to speak at your event, contact:

Sarah Ghebrial

Vice President of Public Affairs
Orange County Business Council
sghebrial@ocbc.org

Logo Requests

To request a suite of Orange County Business Council logos, contact:

Maiken Sorenson

Communications and Social Media Specialist
Orange County Business Council
msorenson@ocbc.org

In the News

NBC Los Angeles: It's not just gas prices. Everything is more expensive, per data

April 13, 2026

The Consumer Price Index, which tracks price changes for everything consumers buy, is up across the board.

The Orange County Register: Experts offer mixed reviews of Brea’s tax-sharing deal to land Costco

March 20, 2026

Supporters say it's a win that will pump millions into city coffers. Critics say tax breaks for retailers are a steep price to pay for little growth.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance applauding

The Orange County Register: Orange County business perspectives from the State of the Union

March 2, 2026

Last week’s State of the Union address offered important signals for Orange County businesses navigating a rapidly changing economy. I was honored to attend in person and was primarily focused on the policies that matter most for our local businesses.

Orange County Business Journal: Samuelis Expand Giving to Community Colleges

December 15, 2025

Five local community colleges and one university are receiving a $24 million boost from the Samueli Foundation for workforce development in the area.

CSUF News: OC Business Council Grant to Train Students for Semiconductor Workforce

December 9, 2025

A new grant from the Orange County Business Council will support a Cal State Fullerton workforce training program to prepare students for careers in the semiconductor industry.

An infographic of health care professionals standing on a map of orange county

The Orange County Register: City of Hope, Hoag and UCI Health chose to build in Irvine, what makes the area attractive for health-care investment?

December 6, 2025

When Mayor Larry Agran moved to Irvine in 1975, it was to support his wife in her breakthrough admission to the UC Irvine School of Medicine as part of one of the first classes to include women.

NBC Los Angeles: New report estimates the economic impact of 2028 LA Olympics for 5 counties

December 4, 2025

Southern California's five counties could see $13 billion to $17 billion in economic impact from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to a new report unveiled Thursday.

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The Orange County Register: Hospital openings in Irvine mean lots of new hiring in region

November 23, 2025

City of Hope and UCI Health-Irvine will open their doors in early December, with Hoag following suit next year. What does it take to staff such a hospital boom?

Orange County Business Journal: California’s Legislature: The Good and the Ugly

November 3, 2025

The recently completed 2025 legislative session reflected both the complexity and potential of doing business in California. Though not all doom and gloom, Sacramento has far more work ahead to ensure our state remains a place where businesses, families and communities can thrive.

The Orange County Register: Tourism tax ballot measure is a no-go for Anaheim City Council majority

October 28, 2025

A proposal to ask Anaheim voters if the city should collect an entertainment tax died with the City Council this week.

Vanguard News Group: Business Council Leader Says Housing Wins Offset by Mounting Economic Barriers

October 25, 2025

Orange County Business Council President and CEO Jeffrey Ball said California’s 2025 legislative session delivered meaningful progress on housing but warned that mounting regulatory and cost barriers continue to undermine the state’s competitiveness.

The Orange County Register: Shrinking beaches, shrinking revenue: Sand erosion a concern for businesses, economy

October 24, 2025

The Orange County Business Council most recently cast its attention to an economic sector that is vital to the region’s growth and fortunes — its coast.

The Orange County Register: Could Fullerton Airport host self-flying air taxis in the future?

October 6, 2025

With a new partnership inked, Fullerton Municipal Airport, the last small airport in Orange County, could be among the first in Southern California to host self-flying electric air taxis in the not-so-distant future.

The Sacramento Bee: Broadband group urges Newsom veto on bill related to cost of internet for renters

September 23, 2025

Pleas to legislators didn’t work. Neither did a paid newspaper article. Now a California trade group that represents major broadband providers has turned to the last person who can kill a measure that would allow renters to have more choice about which internet service they want in their homes: Gov. Gavin Newsom.

New Santa Ana: Anaheim’s proposed entertainment tax might be a costly mistake

September 19, 2025

Anaheim Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava has proposed a new entertainment tax targeting tickets and parking at major venues like Disneyland, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center, aiming to address a $60 million city budget deficit.

Automotive World: Wisk partners with the City of Fullerton to advance autonomous air mobility in Southern California

September 17, 2025

Wisk Aero, an autonomous aviation company, today announced a strategic partnership with the City of Fullerton, California to collaborate on potential future opportunities for infrastructure development for autonomous air taxis at Fullerton Municipal Airport.

The Orange County Register: Westminster secures $250,000 grant toward Little Saigon revitalization

September 12, 2025

Efforts to invest in Little Saigon are gaining ground, with Westminster recently awarded a $250,000 grant to help strengthen the area’s local economy.

The Orange County Register: California’s fuel crisis threatens Orange County’s economic engine

August 23, 2025

California’s economy is at a crossroads. With two major refinery closures looming, the entire state is bracing for a substantial reduction in critical refining capacity. Experts predict these closures will spike gas prices in the coming months.

Voice of OC: An End to The ‘Orange Way’: Scrambling to Prevent Municipal Bankruptcy

August 18, 2025

Orange City Council members are scrambling to avoid economic ruin after consultants tasked with assessing their financial future bluntly warned them they’d be bankrupt in three years if they don’t make radical changes.

Armed law enforcement standing outside a building

Los Angeles Times: Even some Orange County Republicans question Trump sweeps targeting immigrant workers

July 2, 2025

As protests broke out in cities across Southern California over President Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement sweeps, the mood in Huntington Beach was celebratory.

Jeff Ball interviewed by Hetty Chang from KNBC

NBC Los Angeles: SoCal business owners and consumers adjust to tariffs

April 11, 2025

The Trump Administration believes tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the United States and boost the economy, however, local business owners say the escalating tariffs have made doing business nearly impossible.

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Policy Newsroom

Back

OCBC Removes Position on AB 2059 Following Amendments

May 4, 2026

The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) is removing its position on AB 2059 (Wilson) following recent amendments that substantially narrowed the scope of the bill.

AB 1790 (Connolly), OCBC OPPOSE, Passed Out of Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee

May 4, 2026

Orange County Business Council remains opposed to AB 1790 (Connolly), legislation that would repeal California’s longstanding water’s-edge election and move the state toward mandatory worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. On April 27, the bill advanced out of the Assembly...

SB 1359 (Stern), OCBC OPPOSES

April 13, 2026

Orange County Business Council (OCBC) opposes SB 1359 (Stern), which would significantly alter the state’s approach to natural gas service obligations and accelerate electrification policies in ways that raise concerns for energy reliability, affordability and regulatory certainty across California.

Orange County Business Council Welcomes New Board Members

IRVINE, CA (May 14, 2026) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced that Josh Smith,…

Orange County Business Council Hosts 2026 Health Care Forum

IRVINE, CA (May 7, 2026) — Executives from Orange County hospital systems and health care…

OCBC, AT&T Collaborate to Provide 60 Laptops to Orange County Students

Garden Grove, CA (April 29, 2026) — Dozens of Orange County students will gain critical…