News

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land Launch National Heroes Awards

Friday, August 07, 2020

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land are accepting nominations for the Cox Conserves Heroes program through Aug. 15. This year, the program has expanded nationwide, with nominees grouped into four regions: West, South, Midwest, and Northeast. The Cox Conserves Heroes program serves to honor environmental volunteers who create, preserve, or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities. “Each year, it’s amazing to see how people across the U.S. are making a positive impact on the planet,” said Maury Wolfe, assistant vice president of corporate responsibility and public affairs for Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Communications. “From coordinatin...

SafeDineOC Restaurant Program is Now Accepting Applications for a $1,000 Grant

Friday, August 07, 2020

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do (1st District) announced the launch of the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program. Below is Supervisor Andrew Do’s statement from the press conference, which was live-streamed on the County of Orange’s Facebook: facebook.com/ocgov. Restaurants can apply for the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program here: ocbc.org/safedineoc --- Today [August 6], the County of Orange is taking one more step to ensure that customers and workers at restaurants around Orange County are safe. On July 14, my proposed Safe Restaurant Program, also known as the SafeDineOC Restaurant Program, was unanimously approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. This program allocates $10 million of CARES Act funding to help restaurants keep their employee...

Census Will Rush to Complete Its Count by Sept. 30, One Month Earlier Than Planned

Thursday, August 06, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Census Bureau is ending efforts to count the country’s population on Sept. 30 — a month sooner than planned. Only 63% of the nation’s estimated 121 million households have responded to the 2020 census by mail, phone, or online. The last-minute change to the timeline raises concerns about the accuracy of the count, which is used to determine representation in Congress and state legislatures. The statistical information collected every 10 years is also the bedrock for federal and local policy decisions such as how much federal money states and cities receive, where to build water and sewer systems, wher...

Edwards on Upswing as Surgeries Rebound

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Hospital operations across the U.S. continue to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but heart valve maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp. is optimistic that its patients will get the necessary treatments for their life-threatening health conditions as the year goes on. “We’ve had it proven to us with our own eyes that our patients are not going to be postponed or delayed,” Chief Executive Mike Mussallem told the Business Journal on July 28, noting the resourcefulness of hospitals that took swift action to reschedule postponed elective procedures. “The back half of the year will be better than what we experience...

Greater Irvine Chamber Member Marketing Opportunities

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

Marketing is at a particular premium during these economically challenged times. As one of the many benefits of membership, the Greater Irvine Chamber offers several opportunities for members to market their products and services. Members are encouraged to: Market updates of products and services updates on their company directory profile page (accessed through the member portal) Upload product and services marketing/promotions (whether a discount or not) to the hot deals page (accessed through member portal) Submit events to the community calendar Submit newsworthy articles (other than product/services promotion or events) for inclusion in our website news Advertise with the Chamber Tourism-related businesses, retail, and restaurants have th...

Masimo Launches Patient Charting, Alerts Platform

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based device maker Masimo Corp. recently unveiled its UniView: 60 platform, which provides clinicians with important patient reminders and advisories in a clean, concise display outside of each patient’s room. UCI Medical Center said it deployed the product in its new acute care unit, “as part of its vision of the hospital of the future” as well as its “longstanding commitment to patient safety” at the time of the product announcement. Masimo Chief Executive Joe Kiani said he was pleased to see the product launch “at one of our excellent local institutions.” The product’s name has to do with it’...

Concordia University Irvine Launches New School of Health and Human Sciences For Fall 2020

Monday, August 03, 2020

Concordia University Irvine (CUI) has added a new School—the School of Health and Human Sciences—offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in health-related areas of study. Academic offerings in the new School of Health and Human Sciences include a Master of Public Health, Master of Healthcare Administration, Master of Coaching and Athletics Administration, a Bachelor of Arts (traditional and online) in Healthcare Management, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing. Previously housed in other schools at the university, officials have consolidated the related academic programs under one School to shar...

Hoag Experiments with Pilot Health Center

Monday, August 03, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) The Hoag Health Center in Foothill Ranch isn’t your typical medical clinic. The 45,000-square-foot facility at the Foothill Ranch Towne Center is an open-floor plan that could be a combination of an Apple store, a fitness center and an island resort. The center features a gym with a workout regimen that requires a recommendation from a doctor. It has areas dedicated to physical therapy and women’s health. It also has a “tech bar” to help users connect to health improvement apps. It also has a Patch Coffee Co. bar and small specialty stores selling products from Lululemon Athletica, Camp...

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Proposes Grants for Safe Restaurants

Monday, August 03, 2020

Orange County restaurants that prioritize customer safety and worker protections could soon get $10 million in financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under a plan authored by Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, restaurants in Orange County that have followed health safety rules and complied with state COVID-19 health guidelines will be eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant from the County. “We need to support small businesses that are protecting their employees and the public from the spread of COVID-19,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, a former restaurant owner. The $10 million program, which is funded through the federal CARES Act stimulus package, is ...

UCI Establishes School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Monday, August 03, 2020

The University of California, Irvine Board of Regents voted to establish the UCI School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, elevating the program started in 2006 to full-school status. It is only the third school of its type in the UC system. This nascent school is a critical part of the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences. Its distinguished faculty and talented students will teach, research, and learn at the cutting edge of their disciplines and contribute to the delivery of outstanding integrative healthcare to patients across our region and, ultimately, across the nation. Under the leadership of Founding Dean Ja...

City of Irvine to Launch Mask Giveaway to Fight COVID-19

Friday, July 31, 2020

The City of Irvine will distribute face masks received through the recent generous donation from FivePoint Holdings, LLC to community members in an effort to stem the tide of COVID-19 and safeguard Irvine residents and workers including first responders. The disposable face masks will be provided to the community as part of the City’s overall COVID-19 response efforts, beginning with the Mayor’s Mask Giveaway. This drive-up distribution event on Saturday, August 8 from 9 to 12 p.m. at the Irvine Civic Center, will provide each car with one free box of 50 disposable masks. “Since this crisis began, the health and safet...

California DFEH Updates COVID-19 FAQs

Thursday, July 30, 2020

(CalChamber) On July 24, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has updated its COVID-19 guidance. This updated FAQ replaces the previous guidance issued on March 20. Since March, when the pandemic began impacting California, both employers and employees have adjusted and continue to readjust to the evolving rules, guidelines and practices. It’s no surprise that government agencies continue to fine-tune guidance documents as the pandemic evolves, raising unprecedented questions as more employers open their doors and infection rates increase. The newly updated DFEH guidance adds new questions and answers as well as more detailed answers to previously asked questions. Questions addresse...

California Senate Allows Remote Voting

Thursday, July 30, 2020

(California Globe) The California State Senate, pursuant to a rule that it adopted on March 16 (SR 86), is allowing remote voting in its house. Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins announced the use of remote voting under certain circumstances. She explained that the Senate was authorizing the use of remote voting to protect the health of those involved in the legislative process and to be “consistent with our Constitution.” Senator Atkins stated that the Senate had consulted with legal experts and open government groups before implementing this new procedure. The Senate is limiting the use of remote voting to their polic...

California’s Higher Education Leaders See an Opportunity In Crisis

Thursday, July 30, 2020

(EdSource) Colleges, students, and faculty members may be unsure of what lies ahead as they brace for another mostly virtual academic term amid a pandemic, but the crisis could force California’s higher education systems to improve. The state’s colleges and universities could use the current crisis to build better partnerships across the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, and private institutions to increase access and improve graduation rates. That was the message from Lande Ajose, a senior policy advisor for higher education to Gov. Gavin Newsom, and ECMC Foundation President Peter Taylor during a webinar hosted by California Competes...

Irvine's Great Park to Welcome New Community of Single-Family Homes

Thursday, July 30, 2020

(Orange County Register) Irvine’s Great Park residential community will get 38 new houses with starting prices planned in the mid-$1 million range. The New Home Co. will build the Atlas community — single-family homes ranging from 3,360 to 3,647 square feet with up to five bedrooms and five bathrooms — at the Rise neighborhood at the Great Park Neighborhoods. Sales are expected to begin in early 2021. The home building industry has been adapting to rapidly changing homebuyer tastes. In recent years, a preference for smaller, more-affordable housing nudged many developers to create smaller residences. But the ongoing pandemic that forced many families to spend more time at hom...

US Merchandise Trade Gap Narrows for First Time in Four Months

Thursday, July 30, 2020

(Bloomberg News) The U.S. merchandise trade gap unexpectedly narrowed in June for the first time in four months as exports jumped by the most on record, signaling the pace of global commerce is stabilizing. The overall balance shrank to $70.6 billion last month from $75.3 billion, Commerce Department data showed. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a $75.4 billion shortfall in June. Exports surged 13.9% from May to $102.6 billion, and imports increased 4.8% to $173.2 billion. While the total value of U.S. two-way trade picked up to $275.8 billion, it’s still well below the pre-pandemic peak a...

Center for Accelerating Clinical Trials Gave UCI Health an Investigative Edge When Pandemic Hit

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Back in mid-March, when COVID-19 became a worldwide crisis, UCI Health clinicians were poised to quickly begin working on possible treatments to tame the deadly virus. The prior summer, after three years of planning, the UCI Center for Clinical Research had opened. It heralded a new era in UCI Health’s efforts to expand access to breakthrough therapies by accelerating clinical trials – research studies seeking ways to prevent, detect and treat diseases. “This [launch] was extremely timely,” says Dr. Daniela Bota, vice dean of clinical research and medical director of the center, which now has 75 principal investigators and 120 clinical researchers on staff. “Whe...

Cox Communications Offers Two Months of Free Internet Service to New Qualifying Families in Time for Back-to-School

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

As back-to-school fast approaches, Cox has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company’s low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and Sept. 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support. “Distance learning has become the new normal for local schools during this pandemic, and we can help bridge the digital divide and level the educational playing field through our Connect2Compete program,” said Sam Attisha, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications in California. “We want students to be able to start off the new schoo...

Fast Company Ranks Vincit a Best Workplace for Innovators

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Vincit has been named one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators 2020 worldwide. The award identifies companies that empower employees at all levels to improve processes, create new products, or invent new ways of doing business. “To be recognized by Fast Company as a Best Workplace for Innovators among companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce, is a true honor,” says Ville Houttu, CEO of Vincit USA. “Passion is one of our core values, and it is the key to innovation. I want to thank the team for taking ownership of their work, and encouraging a culture that is always open to new ideas.” Out o...

Irvine Valley College Welcomes New Leadership

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

On July 30, Irvine Valley College is set to welcome its new President, Dr. John Hernandez. An educator for more than 30 years, with 22 of those spent in administration, Dr. Hernandez was appointed president of Santiago Canyon College in Orange in July 2017, after serving as interim president there from July 2016 until his permanent appointment. Prior to that, he was the college’s Vice President for Student Services from 2005 to July 2016. Before joining Santiago Canyon College, Dr. Hernandez was Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Cal Poly Pomona; Associate Dean for Student Development at Santa An...

Summer Drive-in Movies Under the Stars at the Irvine Spectrum Center

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

This summer enjoy drive-in movies, comedy, and live entertainment under the stars right from the comfort of your own car at the Irvine Spectrum Center, on the 5th level of the Regal Parking Deck (5 Freeway side). The movie night series runs July 30 to Aug. 20, with the venue opening at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment at 6:45 and the movie beginning at dusk, approximately 8:00 p.m. Admission is $50 per car and includes a $20 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card to use toward dinner or snacks purchased before the movie from one of the restaurants located at the Irvine Spectrum Center. For movi...

California Releases Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

(CalChamber) On July 24, 2020, when the reported number of COVID-19 cases in California surpassed 425,000, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new playbook — called the Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening — to guide employers on how to provide a safe and clean environment for workers and customers to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. “We want to continue to work in the spirit of collaboration and partnership with our employer community to educate,” Newsom said during the press conference, “not only employers large and small, but to help them educate employees as well.” The 32-page Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening includes a compilation o...

FivePoint Donates 1 Million Face Masks to City of Irvine to Fight COVID-19

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

To help stem the tide of COVID-19 and safeguard Irvine first responders, residents, and workers, FivePoint Holdings, LLC has donated 1 million face masks to the City of Irvine in its continuing effort to provide critical resources where needed most in the region. In the initial days of the statewide lockdown in March when personal protective equipment was in high demand, FivePoint was among the first companies locally to pivot and acquire more than 100,000 face masks for healthcare workers, law enforcement personnel, and others. Today’s announcement of an additional donation of one million masks to the City of Irvine furthers FivePoint’...

Hoag Ranked Best in Orange County by US News & World Report

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-2021 Best Hospitals Rankings once again named Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County, the fourth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metro area and eighth-best in California. The rankings also included national rankings in seven specialty areas and recognition for Hoag’s high performance in 13 specialty procedures. In this unusual year, the annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings serve as an important resource to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions and common elective procedures. “We have been humbled each year that w...

Irvine Gets a Look at New Plans for Wild Rivers at the Great Park

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

(Orange County Register) Wild Rivers owner Mike Riedel said he hopes to start building a bigger, better water park full of slides and rides early next year and to start welcoming visitors in May 2022. He submitted plans to the city for review this month and could see the Planning Commission take them up as soon as September. The original Wild Rivers ended its 25-year run in 2011, when the Irvine Company built apartments on the property that had been leased to the water park. The new site in the Orange County Great Park is bigger than the old park, Riedel said. It’ll cove...

Orange County United Way Names Antis Roofing & Waterproofing CEO Among New Board Members

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

(Orange County Breeze) Orange County United Way announced the election of four new members to its board of directors, including Charles Antis CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, a platinum-level Leaders Circle member of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Antis was appointed along with Shirin Behzadi, Board member, advisor and former CEO of Home Franchise Concepts; Mark Clemens of KPMG LLP; and Mark Stockton of US Bank Home Mortgage All new members were elected at the Orange County United Way Board Meeting held on June 19, 2020, and will serve through June 30, 2023. “We’re very excited to welcome these four new members to our Board of Directors, and we are confident the...

UCI Ranks 16th in Top Public Universities That Pay Off the Most in 2020

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

University of California, Irvine (UCI), has been ranked the 16th best public university in the nation that pays off to attend by CNBC Make It, a program that aims to provide the information students need to balance considerations through its annual 50 Colleges that Pay Off the Most ranking. The list spotlights 50 schools that provide students the highest average salaries for their tuition dollars. UCI—known for its engineering and criminal justice programs and one of 10 campuses in the University of California school system—in 2019 enrolled approximately 30,382 undergraduate students. The average annual net cost for in-state students (income $48,001-$75,000) is $14,746. The median salar...

US Durable Goods Orders Advanced More Than Forecast in June

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

(Bloomberg News) U.S. orders for durable goods rose more than expected in June, led by a spike in demand for motor vehicles and a pickup in business activity more broadly as states reopened their economies. Bookings for durable goods -- or goods meant to last at least three years -- increased 7.3% in June, after a downwardly revised 15.1% surge in May, Commerce Department data showed Monday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a 6.9% gain in June. Core capital goods orders, a category that excludes aircraft and military hardware, climbed 3.3%, also more than forecast. The second-straigh...

California Workplace Safety Rules are Likely to Change Due to Coronavirus Fears

Monday, July 27, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) With many of California’s workplaces facing significant changes fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers are considering whether labor laws need to evolve too. Legislators have proposed expanding workers’ compensation eligibility so that more employees will be covered if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, increasing the number of sick days for food service workers and requiring employers to pay a portion of utility and internet bills for teleworkers. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that he plans to work “hand in glove” with the Legislature to expand workplace protections, including guaranteeing COVID-19-related sick leave, easing workers’ compensation claim requirements, enforcing labo...

GO-Biz Now Accepting Applications for California Competes Tax Credits

Monday, July 27, 2020

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). There are $80 million in tax credits available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding full-time jobs in the state. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, August 17, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time). The online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed at calcompetes.ca.gov. Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance. In addition, an updated application guide, FAQs, and program regulations are availabl...

Potential Expansion of Leave Law Would Hurt Businesses Facing Slashed Profits, Income Amid COVID-19

Monday, July 27, 2020

(Northern California Record) A new bill that would make small businesses subject to the same family leave law as large companies would adversely impact the California business community at a time it is already struggling under the COVID-19 economic decline and new shut down orders, a trade group coalition says. SB 1383, which passed the Senate earlier this month, would require businesses with five or more workers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave; the current law applies to businesses with 50 or more employees. “It’s happening when businesses can least afford it and presents a particular burden to smal...

Transportation Corridor Agencies Reaches Significant Construction Milestone on Bridge Project

Thursday, July 23, 2020

All six lanes – three in each direction – of Oso Parkway at the 241 Toll Road are open to drivers, marking a significant construction milestone for the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides are also open. Crews constructed the Oso Parkway Bridge overcrossing one half at a time, while maintaining drive-through access for commuters and residents. Intermittent daytime lane closures may be necessary over the next few weeks to install traffic detection loops, create permanent striping and relocate traffic signals at each end of the project area. “With the state’s stay-at-home orders du...

Cox’s YurView Network to Air Orange County Soccer Club’s Final Six Home Games

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Cox Communications’ YurView network will air Orange County Soccer Club’s (OCSC) remaining six home games of the 2020 season between July 25 and Sept. 19, 2020. In addition to live game coverage, Orange County matches will be replayed on YurView California in Orange County (Cox Channel 3), Palos Verdes (Cox Channel 3), and Santa Barbara (Cox Channel 4). All home games start at 7 p.m. PT and the television schedule is as follows: Saturday, July 25 | Phoenix Rising FC Friday, August 7 | LA Galaxy II Saturday, August 15 | Las Vegas Lights FC Saturday, August 29 | San Diego Loyal SC Saturday, Sept. 5| LA Galaxy II Friday, Sept. 18 | Las Vegas Light...

Economic Vitality Council Examines Disruptions Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic, Preparation for Future Disasters

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

During its mid-year July meeting held online, the Greater Irvine Chamber Economic Vitality Council (EVC) discussed lessons learned from the Coronavirus pandemic and steps the Chamber can take to help better prepare Irvine businesses for possible future disruptions. While assisting Irvine businesses the last few months, the Chamber and City of Irvine management team found that this pandemic revealed the extent to which Irvine businesses were or were not prepared to respond, manage or mitigate the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In breakout sessions, EVC members used these insights to identify ways to help businesses now and in the future. “The Chamber is in a unique position to leverage our networks...

From Internet Rights to Streeteries, How the Pandemic Is Changing Working From Home

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

(CalMatters) Coronavirus has reshaped how Californians live, learn, and work in uneven ways. The pandemic has exposed the state’s long-standing digital divide with a significant share of low-income and rural households lacking reliable internet access. And even though employers have quickly adapted to remote work, the opportunity to work from home has not spread evenly across the workforce. Many Latino and Black workers who work in essential fields find themselves taking more risks to stay employed, leading to higher rates of infection and death in those communities of color. On the other hand, there appear to be bright spots that coul...

U.S. Home Sales Rack Up Record Gain; Tight Supply, COVID-19 Seen Slowing Momentum

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

(Reuters) U.S. home sales increased by the most on record in June, boosted by historically low mortgage rates, but the outlook for the housing market is being clouded by low inventory and high unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report from the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday, which also showed house prices rising to an all-time high last month, confirmed a shift toward bigger homes and properties away from urban centers as companies allow employees flexibility to work from home because of the coronavirus. The upbeat housing market news was overshadowed by a relentless surge in new COVID-19 infections, which has prompte...

UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge Goes Virtual for 2020

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge, a movement to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, is going virtual for 2020 in order to maintain social distancing and safeguard participant health. The reimagined Anti-Cancer Challenge now includes an eight-week virtual fundraising and wellness program that connects people around the local community and across the nation. Participants can ride, run or walk virtually with friends and family wherever they are. “In only three years, the community has rallied to support 43 pilot projects and early-phase clinical trials that have moved the dial on cancer research,” says Richard Van Etten, MD, PhD, director of the UCI Cha...

UCI Health to Hire 60 Doctors Devoted to Internal, Family & Geriatric Medicine Over the Next Five Years

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Long known for its more than 500 world-class specialists who treat the most complex conditions, UCI Health is on a mission to expand its primary care services. Dr. Matthew Boone was recruited last fall from USC’s Keck School of Medicine to oversee this mission. Boone is no stranger to Orange County, having run and been affiliated with many of the county’s medical groups and hospitals over the last 30 years. “I always felt that primary care at UCI was an underdeveloped gem,” says Boone, who is associate dean of clinical affairs and a professor at the UCI School of Medicine. “Its reputation wa...

Vincit Earns National Recognition with Stevie Award

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

The Irvine-based, digital app and technology company Vincit has been recognized with a Stevie Award by the American Business Awards. The Stevie Awards for Great Employers is an international business awards competition that is open to all organizations worldwide. The awards recognize the world's best companies to work for, and the HR teams, professionals, achievements, new products, and suppliers that help to create and drive great places to work. “This has been an unprecedented and evolving time for businesses and workplace culture. I’m proud to see the team continue to demonstrate our commitment and passion for great culture and workplace best practices,&rdquo...

Irvine Restaurants with Outdoor Dining Service Remain Open Amid Shutdown Restrictions

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Irvine offers ample opportunities for diners to practice social distancing while enjoying a meal and taking in Southern California's beautiful year-round, picture-perfect weather. A list of Irvine area restaurants serving meals and drinks at their outdoor spaces and patios can be found at DestinationIrvine.com/restaurants/outdoor-dining. Updates are made regularly, so bookmark the page and check back often! Irvine area restaurants open for outdoor dining as of July 20, include: 90 Pacifica 90 Pacifica, Irvine Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails 2607 Main St., Irvine Angelina's Pizzeria Napoletana 8573 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine Bacchus Bar & Bistro 6735 Quail Hill Pkwy., Irvine Bistango 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine BJ's Brewhouse 1313...

U.S. Companies Get Tax Reprieve in IRS Foreign-Income Rules

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

(Wall Street Journal) The Treasury Department relaxed some tax rules on U.S.-based multinational corporations, issuing final regulations that give relief to companies operating in high-tax foreign countries. The final rules gave companies some but not all of what they wanted and will reduce the U.S. tax burden on companies operating in places such as Germany and Japan. The change may encourage them to invest more in such high-tax places, according to an analysis by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service. Companies can now seek retroactive benefits, going back to periods before the proposed regulations came out in June 2019. And they also have somewha...

UCI Receives Record $529 Million in Research Funding for Fiscal 2019-2020

Monday, July 20, 2020

From cutting-edge research and clinical trials focused on cancer care to creating a new center devoted to protecting personal data privacy, University of California, Irvine scholars, scientists, and physicians are blazing new paths to help change the world. And their impact keeps growing. In fiscal 2019-20, which ended June 30, UCI researchers received the most funding in campus history: $529 million in grants and contracts. Awards from federal and state agencies, leading foundations, and forward-thinking companies increased by 20 percent over 2018-19 totals, reflecting strong and burgeoning support for UCI’s top-ranked faculty, first-rate facilities, diverse and talented student body, and community-based programs. “This researc...

Cutting Bills and Cleaning: How the California Legislature Plans to Finish its COVID Year

Friday, July 17, 2020

(The Sacramento Bee) Top California Democrats are asking lawmakers to consider pulling bills and limit policy hearings as they race to finish a 2020 legislative session that was disrupted twice by the coronavirus outbreak, according to a memo summarizing a recent call for lawmakers’ chiefs of staff. Hundreds of bills are awaiting votes, and the direction, if followed, could squeeze many of them out of consideration. Lawmakers were originally scheduled to head back to the Capitol from a summer recess on July 13. After two Assembly members tested positive for the virus, that date was pushed to July 27 over renewed health concerns. The two-week setbac...

U.S. Homebuilding Surges as Coronavirus Crisis Sparks Flight to Suburbs, Rural Areas

Friday, July 17, 2020

(Reuters) U.S. homebuilding increased in June by the most in nearly four years amid reports of rising demand for housing in suburbs and rural areas as companies allow employees to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. But a resurgence in new coronavirus infections across the country eroded consumer sentiment in mid-July, other data showed on Friday, threatening the nascent housing and economic recovery. Some areas in virus hot spots in the populous South and West regions have either shut down businesses again or paused reopenings. The economy slipped into recession in February. “Homebuilding is coming back at a steady, if unspectacular pace,” sai...

More Time to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program Loans

Thursday, July 16, 2020

(CalChamber) Legislation signed by the President last weekend extends the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to August 8, 2020. An estimated $130 billion in funding remains for the program, which offers loans to help small businesses with fewer than 500 employees stay in business and keep workers employed. Employers in need of assistance and who have not yet obtained a loan are encouraged to speak with a lender as soon as possible. The PPP Extension Act signed on July 4 extends only the loan application deadline and does not expand the program. Legislation signed on June 5 amended the original PP...

Irvine Gateway Experts Webinar Series Continues the Work of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Foreign Direct Investment Initiatives

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

While the Greater Irvine Chamber continues to build on the momentum of its foreign direct investment programs, the work is being reimagined as the world responds to disruptions caused by the Coronavirus crisis. To continue to offer expansion-ready U.K. life science and technology companies with the information they need to make the decision to expand to Irvine/Orange County, the Chamber offers advice provided by experts in their field through the Irvine Gateway Experts webinar series. Topics include: VISAs and Immigration Organizational Preparedness U.S. Healthcare Market Entry International Banking FDA Approval Workforce Development Credits and State Incentives Funding and Capital Networks Taxes Legal Considerations for Establishing a Business in the U.S. OCTANE LaunchPad Accelerator To access the Irvine Gateway Experts webinar series, visit irvineglobalmarkets.com/foreign-direct-investment/irvine-ready-gateway The Greater Irvine Chamber remains connecte...

Irvine Ranks in America’s Top 10 Fittest Cities

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

With 16,500 acres of dedicated open space, parks and sports fields, including 62 miles of hiking and biking trails and the 194-acre sports complex at the Orange County Great Park in the city, it’s no wonder Irvine ranks in the top ten Fittest Cities in America by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem foundation. Irvine was ranked the #7 Fittest City in America in 2020, behind top ranked Arlington, VA, and Seattle, Minneapolis, Madison, WI, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Completing the top ten from #8 to #10 are Denver, Boise, and Boston. To be among the fittest cities in the American Fitnes...

NSF Grants $18 Million to UCI for Materials Science and Engineering Center

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million to the University of California, Irvine in support of a new Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC). UCI is one of three MRSECs newly funded by the NSF in 2020, joining 16 other existing centers at leading research institutions in the United States. The UCI MRSEC, which officially begins its six-year operation period on Sept. 1, will engage researchers in the discovery and development of materials with new capabilities – addressing grand challenges in advanced manufacturing, human health, and national defense. Using sophisticated tools, such as those found in UCI’s recently established transmission electron microscop...

BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest Launches Main St. Matters

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Life has taken a drastic turn in the wake of the current crisis, forcing small businesses to shift nearly every aspect of their daily functions. Behind each small business is a team, giving it their all, but still caught amidst compounding negative impact. Start-ups, hometown offerings, and Main Street shops comprise a significant economic footprint, so now is the time to extend a helping hand. Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest is proud to launch the BBB Main St. Matters Grant Program, designed to provide essential funding during this unprecedented time. “Main Street businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,&rdquo...

Data Leader Picks Irvine as Global HQ

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

(Irvine Standard) Dean Stoecker, CEO of Irvine-based Alteryx, knows data. He values it for what it is: vital to the success of any organization in essentially all industries. “Every industry … has a dependency on data and analytics,” he says. “For example, predicting what player to recruit or knowing what products customers are likely to buy is entirely data driven.” The Alteryx platform takes a task that would normally require hours or days and condenses it into seconds. The result, according to Alteryx, is quicker decision-making, tighter inventory, more efficient staffing, tailored marketing and streamlined operations for industries from health care to government, financial services, retai...

Five Charts Illustrating U.S. Economic Trends Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

(CNBC) As states take differing approaches to re-opening and closing, some parts of the economy continue to see improvement from the start of the pandemic while others continue to struggle. Some states have instituted mask mandates and other measures, such as closing indoor bar service, amid rising coronavirus cases. These five charts illustrate trends in important industries that help track reopening progress in the U.S. Direction requests Data from Apple’s navigation tool, Maps, shows a new dip for walking and driving. Compared to last week, walking and driving have decreased in lockstep from the summer high, both still have requests higher than pre-pandemic levels. Transit directions ha...

Gov. Newsom Orders Statewide Reclosure of Many Businesses

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) California is largely closing again amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state, as Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on July 13 statewide restrictions to again halt all indoor dining and close bars, zoos, and museums. At the same time, most counties, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside, will be forced to shutter gyms, houses of worship, hair salons, malls, and other businesses under the new order, which is effective immediately and remains in effect indefinitely. In addition, offices with nonessential workers in those counties must close. The move further pushes Californians back into their homes during a tim...

Enforcing Mask Rules at Work

Monday, July 13, 2020

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss ways employers can ensure employees comply with state guidelines on masks and social distancing, and continue fostering a healthy workplace. Ask Why While wearing a mask in the workplace is not law, it is recommended by local and state authorities, such as the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), that employees wear masks at work and maintain a distance of six feet from one another. This guidance not only protects customers from the spread of COVID-19 but also help...

Good Attendance Leads to Leads Groups’ Record Success Despite Remote Networking

Monday, July 13, 2020

The success of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s six Leads Groups is undoubtedly in large part due to record attendance. Attendance has been at its highest level despite networking being conducted online amid COVID-19 closures and social distancing practices. Following are Leads Groups members with the highest attendance record for FY 2019-2020: 22 meetings – John Forbes and Samantha Kist (1st & 3rd AM Wednesday) 22 meetings – Brian Page (1st & 3rd Wednesday) 21 meetings – Courtney Nakagawa (2nd & 4th Monday) 21 meetings – Ailene Dewar and David Harrington (1st & 3rd Tuesday) 21 meetings – Claire Na and Reza Ray Ghamsari (2nd & 4th Thursday) 13 meeting...

Orange County SC to Resume Play July 16 on ESPN2

Monday, July 13, 2020

The Orange County Soccer Club will have a national audience when the season resumes, with the club’s first game back, July 16 against Phoenix Rising FC set to air nationally on ESPN2, and on the ESPN App. In addition to the game, ESPN2 will premiere the pilot episode of the Orange County SC & Rangers FC original documentary, “Path to Glory” immediately before the game at 5:30PM/PT on ESPN2 and after the airing, the documentary will be live on the ESPN FC YouTube for 48 hours. Watch the Path to Glory Trailer Here. "We are so excited for the opportunity to resume the seaso...

City of Irvine to Begin Offering Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing

Friday, July 10, 2020

The City of Irvine, in partnership with Curogram and multiple laboratories, including local Pangea Laboratory, will begin providing drive-up COVID-19 testing for individuals that live or work in Irvine beginning Monday, July 13 at the Orange County Great Park. Tests will be available to those who are symptomatic and asymptomatic. The City will have multiple lanes dedicated to testing, and can accommodate approximately 200-260 tests per day. Only PCR testing, which determines if someone currently has the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is available. “The City Council has put in place appropriate and forward-thinking safety measures every step of the way since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,&rdquo...

UC Irvine Awarded $14.4 Million Alzheimer’s Research Grant

Friday, July 10, 2020

(Orange County Register) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $14.4 million to the UCI MIND institute at UC Irvine to continue its crucial work in the study of Alzheimer’s disease, for which there remains no cure or prevention. UCI MIND, formally known as the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, is one of only 32 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers around the country funded by the National Institute on Aging, an arm of the NIH. UC Irvine is one of the original half-dozen research centers established by the NIH in the early 1980s to study Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related disorders. Th...

Local Initiatives Support Corporation Offers Relief Grants for Small Business

Thursday, July 09, 2020

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is providing grants in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money raised through the Rapid Relief & Resiliency Fund: Provides grants to women- and minority-owned small businesses that are the backbone of local economies, Supports thousands of community-based organizations that serve clients in need, and Delivers tech support and infrastructure to help residents and enterprises access work, school, commerce, and social connection. Applications will be accepted on July 27, 2020. Register today and you will be notified when the grant opens on July 27. For questions, please review grant information and FAQ. Awards ar...

Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

The Governor’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery today announced a new campaign, Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal, to encourage Californians to support small businesses in their communities as they make modifications to protect public health and help our state’s diverse neighborhoods thrive. The July campaign is a call to action to help all California small businesses operate safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their digital footprints. As part of this campaign, the State of California has partnered with industry-leading companies, such as Nextdoor, Google, and UPS, and launched a website that connects California’s small business owners to critical tools and resources. These resource...

Electric-Car Bonanza Allows Irvine-Based Karma to Tap Lifeline

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

(Bloomberg) Irvine-based Karma Automotive, maker of the Revero plug-in hybrid luxury car, has raised $100 million from outside investors as the company and its parent seek to tap into an electric-car stock surge by seeking an additional $300 million. The fresh funding coincides with at least the fourth makeover for a company formerly known as Fisker Automotive Inc. since past Aston Martin design director Henrik Fisker founded it in 2007, only to leave as it headed toward bankruptcy six years later. Owner Wanxiang Group Corp., which bought the carmaker in 2014 and renamed it Karma, now aims to launch a new all-electric sedan, a supercar, and plug-in delivery vans. Hoping t...

Irvine Ranch Water District Launches WaterStar Certification Program

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

WaterStar certification offered by Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a way to communicate to the community that an organization values water conservation. Certification can also help businesses improve water use efficiency, save on water bills, and obtain financial incentives for efficiency improvements. Certified WaterStar Businesses will earn the use of the WaterStar logo for display, web posting, and advertising. IRWD may also feature certified businesses in print media, on webpages, and water conservation literature to be distributed to IRWD’s customer base. Certified businesses will also be recognized at an IRWD Board Meeting and receive an award acknowledging their achievement. The recognitio...

Record-Breaking Year for Leads Groups with $22.2 Million in Closed Business Referrals; David Feldberg Earns 2019-2020 FY Rainmaker Title with $5.7 Million

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

The 2019-2020 fiscal year was a record-breaking year for Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups. With more than 2,200 leads exchanged, the six leads groups generated $22,247,720 in closed business referrals during the period, surpassing any figure during the history of the program. David Feldberg has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the fiscal year July 2019 to June 2020, with $5,778,818 in closed business referrals. His performance in the 1st & 3rd Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $15,619,792, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business from referrals during FY 2019-2020. “The Greater Irvine Chamber continues to be a great source o...

City of Irvine to Start Rental Assistance Program

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

At a special meeting on June 23, the Irvine City Council reaffirmed a previously approved Rental Assistance Program to provide financial support to Irvine residents impacted by COVID-19. The City of Irvine has committed $2,000,000 in one-time federal CARES Act funding to create the Rental Assistance Program. This program is only available to residential renters, and will exclude commercial, industrial, or other types of business-related tenants. Residents can apply for one of two grants: A maximum one-time $1,000 grant to provide 1,000 households with assistance to pay lease termination fees. A maximum one-time $1,000 grant to provide 1,000 households with rental payment assistance. To qualif...

Michael V. Drake to Become 21st President of University of California

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

The University of California Board of Regents announced on July 7 the appointment of Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the 21st president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff. Drake has a long and distinguished career in higher education, most recently as president of Ohio State University (OSU) from 2014 until this past week. Prior to his six years at OSU, his entire academic career has been at UC, including as chancellor of UC Irvine for nine years from 2005 to 2014 and as the systemwide vic...

The Workplace Podcast: COVID-19, Masks, 6-Foot Rule

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, and CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank discuss best practices for enforcing workplace face mask and social distancing policies to ensure the safety of employees and customers. For the last several months, employers have been busy implementing protocols to minimize the spread of COVID-19, Frank tells Zaremberg. Since June 18, when Governor Gavin Newsom issued guidance on face covering and social distancing requirements, the CalChamber has received many inquiries regarding the mask and six-foot social distancing rules, she says. On July 1, Governor Newsom issued orders tha...

UCI Appoints Ian Williamson as Dean of The Paul Merage School of Business

Monday, July 06, 2020

Ian O. Williamson, pro-vice-chancellor and dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, has been named dean of the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. He will begin his new role on Jan. 1, 2021. “Professor Williamson brings the depth and breadth of experience across disciplines, industries and continents that are necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving educational landscape within a global economy as we prepare the next generation of business leaders,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. An internationally recognized human resource management expert, Williamson has been involved i...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs $202 Billion Pandemic Budget

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $202 billion budget June 29 with emergency pandemic funding, expanded unemployment aid and billions of dollars in cuts forced by the coronavirus-caused recession. The budget that takes effect July 1 assumed a $54 billion deficit brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and Newsom’s March stay-at-home order, which halted much of the state’s economy. “In the face of a global pandemic that has also caused a recession across the world and here in California, our state has passed a budget that is balanced, responsible and protects public safety and health, education, and services to Californians facin...

Gov. Newsom Orders Indoor Restaurants, Wineries, Movie Theaters to Close in Most of CA

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

(ABC7) Editor's note: Irvine's Al Fresco campaign lists restaurant and retail centers in the city that offer outdoor dining. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the return of some stricter restrictions amid a concerning surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Effective immediately, California is instructing certain sectors to close indoor operations for all counties that have been on the state's watch list for three consecutive days. The affected sectors are: restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums and cardrooms. Those businesses can still operate outdoors. That applies to 19 counties which represent more than 70% of the state's population and include several counties in Southern California. Los Angeles, Orange...

Irvine Featured in Washington Post List of Top US 10 Cities for Parks

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

The Washington Post featured Irvine’s 62 miles of hiking and biking trails and Orange County Great Park in a recent article highlighting the top 10 cities for parks in the United States. The article outlines information from the annual Trust for Public Land ParkScore index which ranks U.S. cities on their parks, based on acreage, access for residents, amenities, and investment. “Thanks to this SoCal city’s Master Plan, one-third of Irvine’s land is preserved for outdoor recreation — including 62 miles of off-street trails and the largest acreage of natural habitats and wild lands in Orange County,” the article reads. Also featured i...

OCO Global, a Valued Partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

In 2017, the Greater Irvine Chamber made an audacious decision to conduct an aggressive foreign direct investment (FDI) campaign in the U.K. We knew we had successful and happy international companies in Irvine. And we knew that we had the assets and an exciting, innovative ecosystem here. What we needed was an independent professional evaluation of our proposed initiative targeting the life science sector in the United Kingdom. Enter OCO Global. For 20 + years, OCO Global has been working with cities, states, and economic development organizations to help build and execute successful strategies to attract international investment. Choosing them to wor...

Tips for Fostering Workplace Diversity

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Albertsons Companies Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Jonathan Mayes discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and provide best practices to help foster a diverse workforce, which will help the company succeed. Mayes, who also is a member of the CalChamber Board of Directors, tells Zaremberg there are many benefits of employing a diverse and inclusive workforce, and one benefit is that diversity helps businesses be more successful. Research consistently shows that companies which embrace diversity and inclusion outperform thos...

Business Expectations in Orange County Show Major Improvement

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Almost a quarter of Orange County businesses expect to be at pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, while the hiring and profit outlook has also improved, according to a survey conducted by economists at California State University, Fullerton. The survey of expectations for the three-month period starting July 1, is one of the strongest indications so far Orange County may have turned the corner on the recession and is heading back to growth. The overall outlook index, known as the OCBX, improved appreciably to 62.9 for the third quarter from 22.7 in the current three-month period. “This is th...

California Consumer Privacy Act Enforcement Begins July 1

Monday, June 29, 2020

(CalChamber) As previously reported, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) went into effect on Jan. 1, but the earliest date the California Attorney General could enforce the law was July 1. That day is quickly approaching and, despite a lack of final CCPA regulations for employers to rely on, it looks like the Attorney General will not delay enforcing the law. The CCPA significantly changed California’s consumer data collection rules to give consumers more control over how businesses use their personal information. Though employers are exempt from much of the law as it pertains to their employees’ personal information (employment information), employers mus...

City of Irvine Issues Amended Face Covering Order

Monday, June 29, 2020

Irvine City Manager John Russo, in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services, on June 24 released an amended Executive Order requiring the use of face coverings. This amendment aligns with new guidance from the California Department of Health. “This order was originally implemented by the Irvine Disaster Council on April 8, to safeguard our residents, businesses, and visitors from the spread of COVID-19,” stated City Manager Russo. “By aligning our order with the most recent statewide guidance, we continue the necessary measures to protect our community. It is critical we work together and follow health directives, allowing businesses to reopen an...

Data Privacy, Other Measures Qualify for California Ballot

Monday, June 29, 2020

(AP News) California voters will weigh in this November on whether to expand a landmark data privacy law, alter a decades-old law that limits property taxes on businesses and exempt ride-hail giants Uber and Lyft from a new state labor law. They are among 11 measures Secretary of State Alex Padilla certified for the Nov. 3 ballot. Others include two constitutional amendments approved by the Legislature, which would overturn the state’s ban on affirmative action and restore the voting rights of people with felony convictions who are on parole. A referendum will ask voters to decide whether the state should eliminate cash bail. Ballot measures are often among th...

FivePoint Selling Broadcom Offices for $355M

Monday, June 29, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) PRP Real Estate Investment Management, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate investor-backed in part by overseas funding partners, plans to buy the two largest buildings at Irvine’s FivePoint Gateway office campus. PRP is under contract to purchase the two buildings, which are occupied by chipmaker Broadcom Inc. under a long-term lease running until 2037, for $355 million. PRP and Irvine’s FivePoint Holdings LLC, which leads the investor group that currently owns the buildings, confirmed a deal was in place late last week. The deal, expected to close in mid-August, will be the largest office sale in Orange County in three years. FivePoin...

Irvine’s Travel and Tourism Industry Vital to County’s Recovery

Monday, June 29, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber, as published in the June 29 issue of the Orange County Business Journal. For the past four years, as president and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, I have shared increasingly high figures year over year on Irvine’s traveler expenditures and how they impact the local economy—2019 numbers were no exception. Last year, we saw yet another increase of 3.9% over 2018, bringing an estimated $781 million* in travel expenditures to Irvine’s economy. Orange County’s travel expenditures were nearly $6.3 billion.* In 2019, the travel industry contributed $49.6 million in Irvine and California taxes...

US Consumer Spending Up 8.2%, Partly Erasing Record Plunge

Monday, June 29, 2020

(AP News) American consumers increased their spending by a record 8.2% in May, partly erasing huge plunges the previous two months, against the backdrop of an economy that’s likely shrinking by its steepest pace on record this quarter. Last month’s rebound in consumer spending followed record spending drops of 6.6% in March and 12.6% in April, when the viral pandemic shuttered businesses, forced millions of layoffs and sent the economy into a recession. Since then, many businesses have reopened, drawing consumers back into shops and restaurants and restoring some lost jobs. A recent Commerce Department report showed that Americans stepped up their spendin...

Vacation Policy Factors to Consider During COVID-19 Pandemic

Monday, June 29, 2020

(CalChamber) A consequence of the prolonged shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is dramatically reduced travel. As a result, during this time many employees are not taking earned vacation time and may not do so for months resulting in the following question from employers: Can we change our vacation policies as a result of the employees not using their time? This is a tricky question. Generally, however, employers do have control over their vacation policies subject to certain rules. Below are some common ways in which an employer may address its vacation policies while staying withi...

Cox Charities Surprises 10 High School Seniors with Scholarships

Thursday, June 25, 2020

It was a day of anticipation as Cox Charities Advisory Board members signed onto a video call to surprise high school seniors with scholarships to help defray college costs. Due to state and national social distancing recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19, Cox Charities opted to virtually announce 10 recent high school graduates from Orange County and Palos Verdes as the 2020 Cox Scholars recipients. This year, Cox Charities awarded a total of $32,500 in scholarships to 10 students. Charities is the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications and is funded by employee donations, matched by Cox, and overseen by a...

OC Depart. of Education Releases Guidelines to Safely Reopen Schools in the Fall

Thursday, June 25, 2020

With support from public health experts, including our local Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and school districts across the county have developed a comprehensive guide with recommendations and best practices for reopening more than 600 schools in a safe and responsible manner. This resource has been developed using guidance from the California Department of Public Health (Links to an external site.) and will be updated as new information is presented. It was approved by the Orange County Health Officer on June 12, 2020. While locally elected school boards will work with their superintendents, staff, and families t...

Bryan Starr Touts Irvine’s Resilience in Irvine Standard

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(As published in the Irvine Standard) Strong communities are made up of resilient and innovative individuals and businesses – those that courageously continue to work to find solutions, especially during times of crisis. Irvine is perhaps better positioned to weather disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic than any other city. The visionary Irvine Master Plan, established 60 years ago, and responsible city management throughout our city’s history has laid the groundwork for the best possible outcome of these unprecedented circumstances. World-Class Health Care Irvine is further bolstered by world-class health care institutions and medical personnel – all that are addressing COVID-19 and coming u...

Charles Antis of Antis Roofing Leads Ronald McDonald House Adoption Campaign

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Through an initiative led by Charles Antis, founder and CEO, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, 165 Ronald McDonald Houses across the U.S. have been adopted by members of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NCRA). A board member of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House, Antis serves as co-chair of a capital campaign to expand the house. As part of his board service, he offered to maintain and care for the roof of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House. Also an active member of the National Roofing Contractors Association, Antis was inspired to foster a partnership between the two organizations, calling on roofin...

Employers Can’t Require COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(CalChamber) As California’s economy continues to reopen, and workplaces start allowing employees to re-enter, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently updated its COVID-19 guidance, stating that employers may not require employees to take COVID-19 antibody testing to return to the workplace. The COVID-19 antibody test (also known as a serology test) screens a person’s blood for antibodies, which the body would have made if it fought the COVID-19 infection. The antibody test doesn’t check for the virus itself — it’s only looking to see if a person’s immune system has responded to the infection. In a newly-added question, the EEOC explain...

Greater Irvine Chamber Among Select Group of Business Leaders and Dignitaries Meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a meeting with a select group of about a dozen California business leaders and government dignitaries on June 19 in Huntington Beach. Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr, along with former California Governor Pete Wilson, California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley, Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn, and others, met with Secretary of State Pompeo to discuss international trade, international relations, and cybersecurity. “Mr. Pompeo’s perspective was important to learn especially in terms of the role California and our community plays in international relations,” Starr said “With 79 languages spoken within its borders, Irvine can b...

Small Business Administration Updates: Disaster Loan Portal, Paycheck Protection Form

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(CalChamber) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it has reopened the portal for eligible applicants hurt by COVID-19 to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the EIDL Advance program. The SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, also posted what it described as a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application and an EZ version. Disaster Loan/Advance The SBA said it has improved the EIDL application and loan closing process, including new technology and automated tools. The EIDL loans of up to $2 million are available to small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and small agricultural and aquacultura...

Small Business Support Program Grants Awarded to 506 Irvine Businesses

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

In an effort to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19, the City of Irvine has awarded Small Business Support Program grants to 506 local businesses. The one-time grants of up to $10,000 are being distributed to businesses located in the Orange County’s 3rd Supervisorial District from a variety of industries including, but not limited to retail, dining and entertainment, automotive, professional and personal services, and technology. Due to some businesses requesting less than the $10,000, the city was able to assist six additional businesses than originally anticipated. Funding for the program came from a $5 million grant from the County of Orange...

Staybridge Suites Now Open, Adding to Irvine’s Diverse Hotel Portfolio

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The newly-built, 168-room Staybridge Suites Irvine hotel is now open, and is located in the heart of the Irvine Business Complex, just minutes away from the John Wayne Airport. Business and leisure guests alike will enjoy the Staybridge Suites as it delivers a break from the travel norm. “We are excited to be part of the Irvine hotel community. By creating a ‘feel like home atmosphere,’ we offer more than just unconfined space but a greater sense of community and life balance that provides a sense of normalcy for all our guests,” said Sean Hashemi, general manager, Staybridge Suites Irvine. The ne...

Tips for Creating a Return to Work Plan

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by employment law experts Bianca Saad and Matthew Roberts to discuss what employers should consider when drafting return to work guidelines. A free CalChamber checklist designed to help employers develop a COVID-19 return-to-work plan is available at https://hrcalifornia.calchamber.com/forms-tools/forms/return-to-work-checklist. Reliable Sources Crafting a return to work checklist can be hard because there is a lot of information and guidance out there, Frank tells listeners. That is why the first sources a business turns to for information should be government websites, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control an...

Transportation Corridor Agencies’ Boards Unanimously Approve There be No Toll Rate Increase

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) two Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget that addresses the unknown duration and impacts of COVID-19 and reflects a conservative approach that focuses on core operating necessities while reducing operating and capital expenditures by 51 percent. The approved budget of $289.5 million – $135 million for the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) and $154.5 million for the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) – allows the Agencies to meet important financial obligations, reduce overall expenses and continue to advance priority projects – including the completion of Oso Parkway Bridge, th...

UCI Beckman Laser Clinic Gets New Director

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) The University of California-Irvine Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic (BLIMC) has tapped Thomas Milner, a three-time entrepreneur and serial technology inventor with 55 issued patents, to oversee and expand its research activities. Milner was recently named director for the photonics institute; he’s the third person to have the position. Milner starts July 1. His plans include prioritizing diversity in faculty and establishing external advisory committees with industry and academic-like entities so that BLIMC is ultimately “recognized by the industry as an excellent partner for both knowledge, intellectual property, scientific and engineering expertise, and as a source of students wh...

At-Home Workers Face Hacking Threat

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Bryan Cunningham, executive director of UC Irvine Cybersecurity Policy & Research Institute, says foreign government agents are increasingly trying to swipe information about the hunt for a vaccine for COVID-19, the latest example of hackers targeting those working from home during the pandemic. “The hackers, the bad actors have done a lot of retargeting. They’re now targeting many, many more people at home because they realize that’s where the business is getting done now.” The extra work required to protect these at-home workers is good news for Orange County’s cluster of cybersecurity and IT firms; the industry is expecte...

CA Tourism Industry Preparing Itself for Recovery

Monday, June 22, 2020

(CalChamber) The COVID-19 crisis has snuffed out 10 years of economic growth in California’s travel and tourism industry. The fallout from this crisis is not only unprecedented, but estimated to cost the state $72.1 billion in visitor spending this year and 613,000 tourism jobs last month alone. However, the tourism economy also offers a path to recovery. In 2019, visitors spent $144.9 billion in California, according to Visit California’s latest economic impact report. That spending supported 1.2 million jobs throughout the state and $12.2 billion in tax revenues for state and local jurisdictions and was among the top three sources o...

California Rent Relief Plan Would Give Tenants Until 2034 to Make Up Late Payments

Monday, June 22, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) A Democratic plan to give struggling California tenants 10 years to make up rent gone unpaid during the coronavirus is taking shape in the state Senate. The proposal, backed by Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, would send immediate relief, once it’s passed, to renters who’ve faced job loss or wage cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 1410 would encourage landlords and tenants to make a deal under a “rent stabilization agreement” before a homeowner could throw someone out for failing to make rent. Through a process called “gut and amend,&rdquo...

California’s Elections Boss: State’s Voting Changes Are Model for the Country

Monday, June 22, 2020

(San Francisco Chronicle) For states across the country struggling with charges of voter suppression and partisan wrangling over who gets to vote and how, Secretary of State Alex Padilla has a suggestion: Be more like California. “I hope we all learned in high school government classes that democracy works best when as many people as possible participate,” Padilla said in an interview. “California tries to lead by example.” Over decades, the state has worked to make voting an easier, more user-friendly experience. Since the state first allowed no-excuse absentee voting in the late 1970s, the percentage of voters casting ballots by mail has jumpe...

Caveats to Using Virus Monitoring Apps

Monday, June 22, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the use of COVID-19 symptom monitoring apps, and whether they are effective tools for maintaining a healthy workplace. Numerous phone apps have come on the market that help employers keep track of their employees’ symptoms. Some ask only a few basic questions—such as, “Are you experiencing a cough?”—while others keep track of employees’ temperatures. Given that some counties are asking employers to report the symptoms of their employees, such monitoring apps may provide a streamlined way to provide th...

Tourism Industry Preparing Itself for Recovery

Monday, June 22, 2020

(CalChamber) The COVID-19 crisis has snuffed out 10 years of economic growth in California’s travel and tourism industry. The fallout from this crisis is not only unprecedented but is estimated to cost the state $72.1 billion in visitor spending this year and 613,000 tourism jobs last month alone. However, the tourism economy also offers a path to recovery. In 2019, visitors spent $144.9 billion in California, according to Visit California’s latest economic impact report. That spending supported 1.2 million jobs throughout the state and $12.2 billion in tax revenues for state and local jurisdictions and was among the top three sources of fundin...

Public Health Officials Require Californians to Wear Face Coverings in Most Settings Outside the Home

Friday, June 19, 2020

The California Department of Public Health today released updated guidance that requires Californians to wear a face-covering in high-risk settings. A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19. “Science shows that face coverings and masks work,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy.” Governor Newsom also addressed why he took this action now...

UCI Paul Merage School of Business Announces Appointments to Center for Health Care Management and Policy Advisory Board

Friday, June 19, 2020

Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the UCI Paul Merage School of Business are pleased to announce the appointment of two new executives to the School's Center for Health Care Management and Policy advisory board. Wa'el Hashad, president and CEO of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, and Lisa Locklear, vice president and CFO of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, have joined forces with the school to help advance the mission of preparing business leaders for a digitally driven world. Wa'el Hashad joined Avanir in July 2017. He is a passionate leader with over 25 years of pharmaceutical experience in sales, marketing and general management, within both the U.S. and international markets. "Avanir and th...

California Budget Approved by Assembly and Senate, Awaiting Gov. Newsom's Green Light

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

(KCRA) It's been nearly 24 hours since the California Assembly and Senate passed next year's budget. The budget is now on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. However, there are many hurdles ahead before Newsom will approve the budget. California is still waiting to find out how much money there will be to spend. The proposed budget relies heavily on federal assistance to help overcome California’s more than $54 billion deficit. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a recession not only in the state, but across the country. The recession is now forcing lawmakers to make cuts in order to balance the state budget. While the proposed budge...

COVID-19: Monitoring Off-Duty Workers

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the obligations employers have if they decide to monitor off-duty employees as a means of reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The question of whether employers should monitor the activities of their workers when they are off the clock is a very popular question at the CalChamber Labor Law Helpline at the moment, Frank tells listeners. Employers are under a lot of pressure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread and provide a safe workplace fo...

Orange County Officials Called Upon to Reinstate Mask Mandate

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

(Orange County Register) Days after Orange County’s health officer announced he was nixing the requirement that everyone wear face coverings in public, supporters of the rule gathered to urge county officials to reconsider to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus. A coalition of 10 labor groups, as well as faith leaders and residents, held a press conference Tuesday, June 15, in front of the building where the Orange County Board of Supervisors meet – and where, in recent weeks, the county leaders have been listening to a parade of residents lambasting them over the mask mandate. “We felt it was important to sho...

Orange County Soccer Club & Unite Health Share Ministries Team Up to Donate Game Tickets to Families

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC), announced a partnership with, Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM) – a faith-based health care nonprofit, to launch its latest initiative, the OCSC Community Corner. The OCSC Community Corner, supported by UHSM, is a season-long outreach program that provides nonprofit organizations tickets to every OCSC regular-season home game to share with the children and families they serve. “We’re looking forward to bringing families together at OCSC games through this new program. As an Orange County native, I am delighted to help other local nonprofit establishments give back to our incredible community,” said Christopher Jin, president of UHSM. “A...

Kaiser Begins Reopening Closed Clinics in Orange County, Starting With La Palma

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) Kaiser Permanente is starting to re-open medical offices in Orange County that it shuttered in March, when the coronavirus pandemic was expected to swamp local hospitals. The company said this week that it reopened its medical office in La Palma to staff, and is preparing to let patients back to other temporarily shuttered local clinics. A few specialty departments at the La Palma clinic — ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, and podiatry — opened Monday, June 8, and family medicine opened Wednesday, said Kaiser spokesman John Stratman. “La Palma staff are slowly returning back to work as we gradually reopen to full capacity,&rdquo...

OC No Longer Requires Face Coverings for All, But Workers at Essential Businesses Must Still Mask Up

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) When Orange County’s health officer last week dropped the requirement for wearing masks in public when people can’t keep a distance from others, that didn’t mean everyone can go bare-faced everywhere. While the latest countywide health order says wearing a face covering is now a “strong recommendation” for people when they’re in public, a rule county supervisors passed in April still mandates masks for workers at grocery stores, restaurants, and other public-serving businesses. Also, some cities have their own stricter rules, including Irvine and Costa Mesa, and businesses may ask customers to wear a mask to be served, just a...

Retail Sales Bounce Up 17.7% After Record Drop As States Reopen

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(CapRadio) As more states and cities allowed restaurants and shopping centers to reopen, U.S. retail spending swung big in May, climbing 17.7%, the U.S. Commerce Department said. Major stock indexes rose after the report was released. Spending is still down 6.1% from a year earlier because of the Coronavirus pandemic. And economists warn of a long and uncertain recovery. But May's upswing follows a record historic collapse in March and April, when retail spending nose-dived as people avoided outings for food or shopping, especially for clothes and furniture. Retail sales — a measure that includes spending on gasoline, cars, food, and drink &mdash...

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened to All Eligible Small Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and nonprofits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 today. “The SBA is strongly committed to working around the clock, providing dedicated emergency assistance to the small businesses and nonprofits that are facing economic disruption due to the COVID-19 impact. With the reopening of the EIDL assistance and EIDL Advance application portal to all new applicants, additional small businesses and non-profits will be able to receive these long-term, low-interest loans and emergenc...

UCI Leads $10 Million Personal Data Privacy Center

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) The University of California-Irvine will lead a $10 million research center aimed at protecting personal data privacy. The center, funded by the National Science Foundation, will be hosted by UCI and will collaborate with Northeastern University, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and Spain’s IMDEA Networks Institute. “It is an honor and responsibility to lead one of NSF's signature projects to address the timely and important problem of personal data protection on the internet,” said principal investigator Athina Markopoulou, professor and chairperson of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at UCI. The researchers will addres...

US Postal Service Would Get $25 Billion Lifeline Under Request Led By OC Rep. Mike Levin

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) The struggling United States Postal Service could get a $25 billion lifeline if the Senate approves an emergency funding request from a bipartisan group of 137 House members, led by Rep. Mike Levin of Orange County. The federal bailout, which could be voted on as early as this week, is needed to offset losses triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic, which postal officials say will total more than $22 billion over the next 18 months and could force the 245-year-old agency to close for good. “If Congress is unable to preserve this critical institution, it will severely impact our way o...

California Coronavirus Surge Tied to Increase In Testing, Not Reopening Businesses, Official Says

Monday, June 15, 2020

(LA Times) California continues to see big increases in Coronavirus cases as its death toll approaches 5,000, causing alarm from some as the state continues to reopen its economy. But are caseloads the best measure of how well California is controlling COVID-19? Not necessarily, one of California’s top health officials said as he announced a new round of businesses that are eligible for reopening, including nail salons. The move came as the state reported two consecutive record single-day increases in coronavirus cases, logging 3,620 new cases June 11 and 3,644 June 12. Los Angeles County, which remains California’s leading virus hot spot, recorded 1,84...

California Lawmakers Take Up Budget in Tense Economic Times

Monday, June 15, 2020

(AP News) The California Legislature will meet June 15 to pass a budget for these uncertain times, without knowing how much money they have to spend and without an agreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose veto pen could force lawmakers to start over. The result will be a speculative spending plan that leaves cash-strapped local governments and public school districts hanging as they await their fate in a budget that must somehow cover a deficit the governor’s office has estimated at $54.3 billion. The nation’s most populous state — with an economy larger than most countries — is notorious for drawn-out budget battle...

California to Allow Nail Salons to Reopen Starting June 19

Monday, June 15, 2020

(AP News) Some Californians will again be able to get a manicure, a new tattoo, or enjoy a massage starting late next week under new state guidance issued June 12. But studios and salons won’t look the same when they do open. Workers and customers must wear face masks, adopt far more intense cleaning practices for shared reusable items like tweezers, and the services will be limited — no mouth or nose tattoos or piercings for now. The guidance on nail salons has been highly anticipated. The Professional Beauty Federation of California sued the state in May to reopen hair and nail salons...

California’s Gas Tax Going Up Again—Amid Coronavirus, Some Say Now Is Not the Time

Monday, June 15, 2020

(LA Times) California’s gas tax is set to increase July 1, but some lawmakers are calling for a freeze on the higher levy, citing the financial burden of the coronavirus-spawned recession on millions of the state’s residents. The automatic increase pegged to inflation — the third increase in the last four years — comes as a long-simmering dispute over the gas tax law enacted three years ago has again flared up at the state Capitol. The tax is set to increase by 3.2 cents, to 50.5 cents per gallon, and state officials estimate it will bring in an additional $440 million to stat...

EU Challenges China’s Trade Expansion With Landmark Tariff

Monday, June 15, 2020

(Bloomberg) The European Union fired a warning shot at China over its global trade ambitions with an unprecedented tariff decision to counter Chinese subsidies to exporters. For the first time, the EU took aim at alleged market-distorting aid granted by a country to exporters located in another state. To date, such European duties have focused only on subsidies provided by the country where the exporters are based. “It’s a landmark case that could lead to many more similar ones,” said Agatha Kratz, an associate director at Rhodium Group who leads research on EU-China relations and Chinese commercial diplomacy. “Chinese state support is i...

OCTA, TCA are Confident of Survival Past COVID-19

Monday, June 15, 2020

(Orange County Register) Orange County’s transportation agencies are in good shape, officials said, to manage the financial fallout of the coronavirus, despite expecting to receive hundreds of millions less in revenue than planned for before the pandemic hit. With money from the CARES Act, a federal coronavirus relief bill, the Orange County Transportation Authority has enough funding to run buses at pre-coronavirus levels when it is time. Still, a $66 million drop in revenue that is generated from a half-cent sales tax means the agency may have to slow the progress of some freeway widening and other transportation projects. Also, cities will ge...

City of Irvine to Modify and Re-open Recreation Services and Programs

Sunday, June 14, 2020

The City of Irvine, in keeping with evolving state and county guidance, will modify or re-open many recreation services and programs. Following recently released guidance from the California Department of Public Health, the City has scheduled modified summer camps, will open aquatic centers for limited programs, and will open museum and gallery spaces at the Orange County Great Park. “Our community has worked together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, in support of countywide efforts,” said Mayor Christina Shea. “This has allowed us to safely re-open some recreational activities in time for our residents to enjoy during the summer.” The Orange Count...

Students Complete Greater Irvine Chamber Workforce Development Program, Exhibit Ethics

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Nearly 30 students, from Irvine High School and Portola High School, completed the semester-long Greater Irvine Chamber Ethics Forum program, created for students by the Chamber’s Business and Workforce Development Committee (BWD) in partnership with Irvine Unified School District and Vital Link. The program is designed to teach students by introducing, instructing, and promoting the process of ethical decision making, using common ethical dilemmas to determine criteria and to respond appropriately. Students learn why critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creative problem solving are critical to ensure successful situational outcomes. “The world we live in is filled with problems that have a lo...

A Healthy Market for Healthcare Development

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Orange County has seen a consistent batch of new office product built over the latter part of the latest market cycle, adding several million square feet of high-end inventory in markets including Irvine, Tustin, and Newport Center. The cycle has been a boon to multifamily developers, too, with thousands of mid-rise units springing up in former commercial spots across the county. With a pandemic-created recession now in its early stages, and questions over the length and severity of its impact, a different sector looks poised to withstand a likely decline in new construction: healthcare. Several billion dollars’ worth o...

Answering Questions About Vote-By-Mail in California Amid COVID-19

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

California and many other states are getting ready for a surge of absentee voting amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all counties to send mail-in ballots to all active registered voters in the state. Voting by mail isn’t new in California. It’s been allowed for anyone who’s registered, and for any reason, since 1979, according to the California Voter Foundation. Learn more/register to vote by mail for the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election. Election experts answered some pressing questions about voting by mail: Does Vote-By-Mail Really Lead To ‘Massive Fraud?’ The answer is no, it hasn't. Several studies have examined the practice an...

California Public Health Officials Provide COVID-19 Update

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

The California Department of Public Health announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California has 122,901 confirmed cases and 4,485 deaths. To date 2,238,463 tests conducted in California, with an increase of 55,792 tests over the prior 24-hour reporting period. As testing capacity continues to increase across the state, an increase in the number of positive cases has been expected. However California remains in the range of stability for case positivity rate and COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Despite increased testing and the reopening of certain sectors of the economy, California’s case positivity rate is at 4.5% and the number of hospitalizations has decrease...

Coronavirus Rebound: Irvine’s Great Park Home Sales Back to ‘Normal Velocity’

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Source: Orange County Register) Homebuying at Irvine’s high-profile Great Park Neighborhoods has rebounded to “normal velocity,” says the project’s chief executive, Emile Haddad, CEO of FivePoint Holdings. In mid-March, Coronavirus had forced “stay-at-home” orders that throttled the economy and pushed home sales at the Irvine project to zero. The company’s project on the long-shuttered airbase had 553 sales last year — that’s almost 11 a week — ranking it among the nation’s Top 20 best-selling master-planned communities. And in 2020’s first 11 weeks, builders on FivePoint land had made sales contracts at a nearly 14-a-week pace. A strong economy, cheap mortgages — and the debut o...

Irvine Co. Presses on with Development

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Irvine Co. has been Orange County’s most active commercial developer the past year and over the past decade. Don’t expect that to change in the next year. The Newport Beach-based firm still appears full speed ahead with a pair of office projects in the Irvine Spectrum area totaling close to 900,000 square feet. The second phase of the firm’s Spectrum Terrace office project, a three-building, roughly 345,000-square-foot collection of high-end buildings, has seen steady work over the past few months with a heavy base of workers—all practicing social distancing and other safety measures. A few miles away, near the intersectio...

O.C. Chief Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick Leaves Post

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(Orange County Register) Orange County’s chief health officer, Dr. Nichole Quick, resigned Monday night. She has faced push back from some members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and criticism from residents for her order last month to require face coverings for the public as the county allowed some businesses to reopen. Quick was receiving heightened security due to threats stemming from her mask order. The county provided a copy of an agreement releasing Quick from the job she was appointed to in June 2019. The agreement says the county will pay Quick $75,000 in severance and CEO Frank Kim won’t disparage Quick’s work; i...

The Workplace Podcast: Remote Harassment Investigation Tips

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss important takeaways when conducting workplace harassment investigations while employees are working remotely. Even when employees are working remotely, instances of sexual harassment may still arise. Whether it’s displaying explicit content in the background of a video conference call, or accidental displays of nudity or inappropriate attire, the relaxed atmosphere of being at home is pushing the boundaries of what constitutes being “at work.” “…People are forgetting that it’s still the workplace,” Shaw tells Frank. Investigations When instances of harassment arise, some employer...

Trouncing Expectations by 10 Million Jobs, the Labor Market’s Comeback Has Begun

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(The White House) The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May Employment Situation report shows that the United States economy added 2.5 million jobs last month, and the unemployment rate fell from 14.7% to 13.3%. Employment increased significantly in leisure and hospitality (1.2 million), construction (464,000), education and health services (424,000), retail trade (368,000), and manufacturing (225,000). These job gains surprised forecasters, given many states were only beginning to reopen their economies during the reports’ survey reference periods (the week/pay period that includes May 12). The median of all private-sector forecasts predicted 7.5 million job losses in May and an unemployment rate of 19.2%. Rapid jo...

US-United Kingdom Trade Discussions Feature First-Ever Virtual Negotiations

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

(CalChamber) This spring marks 75 years since the end of battles in Europe in World War II. Since 1945, transatlantic cooperation has been all important for the nation’s peace, democracy, shared values of freedom and the rule of law. The United States maintains a deep trade and investment relationship with the United Kingdom, which officially left the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020. Now that the two countries are able to enter into a formal free trade agreement (FTA), negotiations are underway and a second round is scheduled to begin the middle of June. The California Chamber of Commerce believes strengthening economic tie...

California Posts Guidelines for Gyms, Bars, Hotels, Camps to Reopen As Soon As June 12

Monday, June 08, 2020

(CalMatters) After months spent in various stages of lockdown, California’s economy cracked open a little bit further today with the state announcing a series of new check-lists for counties hoping to get bars, sit-down restaurants, gyms, hotels, summer camps, and bowling alleys up and rolling again as early as June 12. The new “Phase 3” guidelines serve as rough how-to guides for areas of the state that are deemed ready to reopen by state health authorities, based on levels of COVID-19 transmission, testing capacity and other metrics. Though the new “guidances” recommend that counties open “no sooner” than June 12, Sonia Angell, directo...

Larry L. Zeiber Leads Philanthropic Wave of Support for City of Hope Orange County

Monday, June 08, 2020

Larry L. Zeiber has joined City of Hope as the vice president of philanthropy for Orange County, where he is leading fundraising for the $1 billion world-class campus underway in Irvine. The much-anticipated campus will feature the latest in cancer research and treatment, changing the way cancer care is delivered across the region. “City of Hope’s medical breakthroughs are fueled by generous philanthropic donations. That generosity thrives in Orange County, where we have already seen incredible enthusiasm from many diverse donors,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer, City of Hope. “With Larry on board, we now have a driving force wh...

City of Irvine Launches Small Business Support Program

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

The City of Irvine today launched the Small Business Support Program to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on local small businesses. Businesses located in Irvine with 25 or fewer employees are eligible to apply. Funding for the program comes from a $5 million grant from the County of Orange, through the federally approved CARES Act. The Irvine City Council voted to implement the program at a special meeting on May 29, just days after the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved funding for districts. Businesses that meet the program’s criteria can apply for one-time grants in the amount of $10,000. The grant applicatio...

Blu-Ray Disc Lasers Could Help Kill the Coronavirus, According to UC Irvine Researchers

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

(LA Times) UC Irvine researchers are investigating whether the lasers inside Blu-ray players can be used as a disinfectant to fight the spread of the Coronavirus. UCI professor Chris Barty, who is leading the research team, envisions lasers in ventilation systems disinfecting the air, lasers as small as a key fob that could be used to sanitize hands and lasers built into face masks that clean the air as it filters through. “You can imagine many many ways you could deploy the technology if it’s cheap enough,” Barty said. When combined with special crystals, the Blu-ray lasers can convert to UVC light, which ha...

Canada Ranks as Fourth Largest Source of FDI in California

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

World Trade Center Los Angeles has released its annual foreign direct investment (FDI) research, authored by MAPLE Business Council. This fifth edition includes data for the entire state for the first time. Overall the strength of Canada's investment in Southern California and across the entire state underlines the importance of our focus on recognizing and growing our economic ties together especially as we consider that California is the fifth-largest economy in the world. On a state-wide basis, Canada ranks as the fourth-highest investing nation in California. Top 5: Japan, the U.K., France, Canada, Germany Canadian FDI accounts for 61,841 jobs, which is 8.5% of all FO...

Edwards Adds Another Office to Portfolio

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Orange County’s largest publicly traded company, has added another office building to its rapidly expanding headquarters campus. The medical device maker recently completed the purchase of 3009 Daimler St., a roughly 52,000-square-foot building that sits on the Santa Ana side of Alton Parkway, near Red Hill Avenue. Edwards’ main campus is in Irvine. $65M+ of Deals Edwards makes products for treating structural heart disease, specializing in artificial heart valves, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring devices. It’s valued at nearly $45 billion; its shares are up some 30% over the past year. It has been an activ...

Hoag Named Among Great Hospitals in America

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

Hoag has been named one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020 by Becker's Hospital Review. The hospitals included on this list have been recognized nationally for excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes, and staff and physician satisfaction. These institutions are industry leaders that have achieved advanced accreditation and certification in several specialties. The list also includes industry innovators that have sparked trends in healthcare technology, hospital management, and patient satisfaction. Becker's Healthcare selected the following hospitals for inclusion based on analysis of ranking and award agencies, including U.S. News & World Report's 2019-20 rankings, CareChex, Healthgrades, CMS star ratings, Leapfrog grades...

Irvine Valley College to Welcome New President

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

(Orange County Register) John C. Hernandez will become Irvine Valley College’s new president on August 1, pending approval of his contract by the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees. Hernandez has worked as the president of Santiago Canyon College since 2016. South Orange County Community College District Chancellor Kathleen Burke has recommended her board of trustees appoint Hernandez after a nationwide search to replace Glenn Roquemore, who left the job in October 2019 and is now the president of California Southern University in Costa Mesa. “We are extremely excited to welcome Dr. John Hernandez and have all the confidence that h...

Irvine City Council Does Not Reach Agreement for COVID-19 Testing

Monday, June 01, 2020

At its meeting on May 26, the Irvine City Council unanimously voted to not approve a contract with US Health Fairs for drive-up COVID-19 testing after it could not reach an agreement with the nonprofit organization. The Council also directed city staff to continue with vigorous efforts to find and implement a universal COVID-19 testing program for Irvine which will provide quality testing that protects the health and well-being of Irvine residents. COVID-19 testing is currently provided for many, but not all, residents through the County of Orange and the state at multiple locations. No-cost testing is available for symptomatic and asymptomatic healt...

City of Hope Completes Irvine Land, Office Buy

Friday, May 29, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) City of Hope’s plans for building a comprehensive cancer center at Irvine’s Great Park Neighborhoods took a big step forward after it completed the acquisition of property at the city’s FivePoint Gateway office campus. City of Hope, a research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases with its main campus in Duarte, bought a 190,000 square foot, four-story building at the Irvine site, and 11 acres of adjacent land. A deal had been in the works for over a year. The final price comes out to $108 million, according to Irvine’s FivePoint Holdings LLC, the maste...

House Passes Bill To Ease Small Business Emergency Loan Rules

Friday, May 29, 2020

(Politico) The House passed legislation in a nearly unanimous vote that would relax restrictions on emergency government-backed loans designed to avoid mass layoffs at small businesses, a major restructuring of the popular aid program. The bill the House approved in a 417-1 vote would give borrowers under the $670 billion Paycheck Protection Program more leeway in how they can use the funds and still have the loans forgiven in exchange for maintaining their payrolls. The forgiveness element was a key incentive Congress created for small businesses to take on the debt and keep paying workers during the pandemic. In the weeks since th...

Irvine City Council Establishes Program to Support Small Businesses

Friday, May 29, 2020

At a special meeting on May 29, the Irvine City Council voted to establish a program to provide financial support to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Funding for the Local Business Support Program comes from a $5 million grant from the County of Orange, through the federally approved CARES Act. Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner presented the $5 million check to the Council at Friday’s meeting – only a couple of days after the County approved the funding. The program will allow Irvine-based businesses that meet the following criteria to apply for one-time grants of $10,000. To qualify, businesses must: Have 25 o...

Patients Use Imagination to Control Pain with Virtual Reality Program at Hoag Hospital

Friday, May 29, 2020

As doctors work to decrease opioid prescriptions for pain, they may start following the lead of a California hospital that is effectively using virtual reality to help its patients feel better. Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach is one of the first hospitals in the country to use virtual reality (VR) technology treatment outside of clinical trial settings. Dr. Robert Louis, neurosurgeon and Director of the Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program at the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag Hospital, is at the forefront of finding VR applications for the healthcare setting. He began using Surgical Theatre about five years ago to map out and rehears...

Rules for Reopening California Fitness Centers to be Announced Soon

Friday, May 29, 2020

(LA Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 27 said his administration will release guidelines “in a week or so” for allowing gyms, yoga studios, and other fitness facilities to reopen, though stringent safeguards will need to be adopted to protect customers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom cautioned that the state directives will be tailored to the unique characteristics of each business, from large fitness chains to small studios, and will rely heavily on the advice of public health officials in each county. The governor made the comments during an online roundtable with fitness professionals and business owners, saying he hopes to allow the...

California Bars, Restaurants Could Renegotiate Rent or Quit Leases in Coronavirus Relief Bill

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) California restaurants and nonprofits financially devastated by the Coronavirus outbreak could gain a safeguard from eviction and rent relief in a proposal approved by state senators. Senate Bill 939 would prevent commercial landlords from evicting certain small businesses and nonprofits during the pandemic. The proposal would also allow bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues to renegotiate rent prices with their landlords if they’ve experienced a 40% drop in revenue or have limited their capacity by at least 25% to safely reopen their doors. Tenants and landlords would have the flexibility to cut their own rent deal, and should negotiations turn sour, ...

Greater Irvine Chamber Awards John Colvin Memorial Scholarships for the Sixth Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

For the sixth year, the Greater Irvine Chamber awarded John Colvin Memorial Scholarships, this year totaling $11,500, to students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in a four-year degree program at a university or college in Irvine. Eligible students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, a demonstrated commitment to a fitness lifestyle, and an objective of contributing to the health and economic vitality of Irvine and California in the future. The 2020 scholarship recipients were announced during the Chamber’s digitally presented Orange County World Trade Week. They are UC Irvine students Anganette Emily Cisneros, Jada Perez, and Isabela Zavalos...

Stephen Armstrong Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Partner of the Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Stephen Armstrong, president and co-founder of MAPLE Business Council and principal of 360 Marketer, was named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Partner of the Year for his support and volunteer leadership of the Chamber’s international development initiatives. For a number of years, Armstrong has helped grow the Chamber’s international presence, promote trade between Canada and Orange County, and tout Irvine for trade and investment. As a co-founder of MAPLE Business Council, Armstrong has forged a solid bridge between Canada and California. He is a champion of trade and investment, having executed several successful missions to Vancouver and Toronto to promote Irvin...

Suavecito Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Exporter of the Year

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Santa Ana-based cosmetic product company Suavecito was named the Greater Irvine Chamber 2020 Exporter of the Year for its successful export strategies. This annual award, this year presented digitally during the Chamber’s Orange County World Trade Week Forum, showcases an Orange County-based business that has expanded its markets through successful export strategies. Launching the company in 2010, Suavecito’s founders began distributing their original product to friends and family. They have since scaled the company, successfully growing their markets, and now export their products to more than 55 countries around the world including Canada, Mexico, and Russia. The Suavecito brand now boasts mor...

CA Hair Salons, Barbershops Can Open With Modifications, Gov Says

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

(Patch) Though the state remains in stage 2 of California's reopening plan, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that hair salons and barbershops may now open back up in those counties already approved for "accelerated reopening." Those facilities had previously been classified as a stage 3 step. Accelerated reopening refers to those counties that have provided attestations that they are ready to move beyond stage 2 by meeting specific criteria previously laid out by the state. As of May 26, 47 of 58 counties had met that criteria to receive a regional variance, Newsom said at a media briefing. After mentioning that there have been more tha...

City of Irvine Ranked No. 1 in California, Top 10 in Nation for Public Park Access

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The City of Irvine has been ranked No. 1 in California and No. 7 in the nation for public park access by the Trust for Public Land annual ParkScore Index. The index ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. This is the third consecutive year the city’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned perfect scores in park spending per resident and basketball hoops per 10,000 residents; the city also earned high marks in community centers and playgrounds. The ParkScore Index noted that 82% of Irvine parks are within ...

Orange County is Built for Resilience

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Published in the May 25 issue of the Orange County Business Journal By many estimates, California is better positioned for economic recovery as we emerge from the Coronavirus crisis than any other state in the nation. While the state isn’t quite yet out of the woods, Orange County itself is ready to open. Monitoring trend lines of the disease to determine when and how to reopen business is a smart strategy. How we will fare is not purely a numbers game, however. Where the Golden State really shines—always, but particularly in times of crisis—i...

You Can Shop Anywhere in California, State Officials Relax Coronavirus Restrictions

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

(Sacramento Bee) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that retail stores statewide can now open for in-store shopping as long as they follow state guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for workers and customers. State health officials also announced guidelines for in-person protests and events designed for political expression. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has faced protests regarding the stay-at-home order, which has been in place since March 19. The vast majority of large gatherings remain prohibited under the state’s stay-at-home order. The guidance for protests limits attendance to 25% of an area’s maximum occupancy, or up to 100 attendees, accordin...

Energy Bill Assistance Programs

Saturday, May 23, 2020

If your income has recently changed due to hardships caused by COVID-19, you may qualify for a reduced energy rate. If you have recently lost your job, even if you are receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for a reduced energy rate through our CARE or FERA programs. Southern California Edison will not disconnect power for those having trouble making payments during the Coronavirus crisis. Service disconnections for nonpayment are temporarily suspended and late fees are being waived, by request. SCE also has money-saving programs for income-qualified customers, aligned with customer protections from the California Public Utilities Commission. Details on these programs are available at sce.com/billhelp...

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application Available

Saturday, May 23, 2020

(CalChamber) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, released on May 15 the application for seeking forgiveness of loans granted under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Download the application form here. The PPP was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted at the end of March to help small businesses weather the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The news release announcing availability of the loan forgiveness application stated that the SBA would soon issue regulations and guidance to provide further help to borrowers in completing their applications an...

City of Irvine Roadmap to Recovery

Friday, May 22, 2020

COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Order Explained

Friday, May 22, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and workers’ compensation attorney Tiffany Boyland of Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order that created a rebuttable presumption for workers claiming to have contracted COVID-19 in the workplace and seeking workers’ compensation benefits. What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical and wage benefits to employees who are injured at work. For example, Boyland says, if an employee has a stroke at work, falls down and breaks an arm, the stroke might not be covere...

Hospitals Reopening for Non-COVID-19 Work

Friday, May 22, 2020

(OC Business Journal) Orange County’s hospitals are returning to normal, in phases, as a feared surge of Coronavirus patients has not occurred. “UCI Health is fully operational and providing all levels of care in a safe environment for patients and staff,” Chad Lefteris, CEO, UCI Health, told the Business Journal. OC hospitals are a huge industry unto themselves. According to the Business Journal’s annual list, 31 facilities reported $9.1 billion in net patient revenue for the 12 months ended Sept. 30. That amounted to about $758 million a month. Last year, they handled 1.37 million patient days and 3.7 million outpatient visits. The hospitals, which hav...

The New Office Layout, For New Office Reality

Friday, May 22, 2020

(OC Business Journal) As companies in Orange County prepare to go back to the office, employers are rethinking their space. Short-term changes made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic will incorporate new county requirements that factor in increased cleaning and social distancing efforts. Expect to see more touchless faucets, automatic door openers, sanitizer stations, taller desk partitions, and dedicated package drop-off areas, for a start. Lasting impacts on office space could turn out to be much more pervasive. The good news is that many forward-thinking companies were already heading in that direction pre-pandemic, say some of the area’s top architecture and design firms. “Thes...

COVID-19: What Employers Ask Part 2

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and Labor Law Adviser Ellen Savage discuss the most common coronavirus-related questions employers and human resources professionals have been asking the CalChamber’s Labor Law Helpline as they prepare to reopen their workplaces. Below is a condensed summary of today’s podcast. Reducing Hours One of the most common questions Savage hears on the Labor Law Helpline is whether employees can be “furloughed” for only a day or two a week in order to cut payroll costs. She explains that such a scenario should be referred to as ...

Orange County World Trade Week Captures Global Audience

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

In its sixth year, the Greater Irvine Chamber’s annual Orange County Work Trade Week Forum (OCWTW) captured a global audience with attendees tuning in to the digitized event from countries including Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and various states in the U.S. A lineup of speakers and panelists from across the globe delivered information on the current state of international trade as it relates to the economic disruptions caused by the Coronavirus. Mark O’Connell, CEO, OCO Global, calling in from Belfast, Ireland, in his keynote discussed Globalization: Pandemic, Populism, and Power, bringing attention to sectors hit hardest by the pandemic including travel and hospitality, aerospace, and transportation, and energy and infrastructure. O’Connell als...

ReOpen OC Safely

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Requirements and Best Practices for Reopening Your Business Safely and Within Current Guidelines GENERAL GUIDELINES ReOpen OC Safely was developed by the Greater Irvine Chamber in collaboration with Orange County Business Council, North Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Anaheim as a resource to prepare to safely reopen for business as the county continues to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The State of California has issued stay-at-home orders to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, but is slowly reopening business segments, subject to restrictions, with modified operations. Learn more here. Regardless of your industry sector...

California, Western State Allies Forging Their Own Paths in Coronavirus Crisis

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

(San Francisco Chronicle) When Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out ground rules that would allow counties with few coronavirus cases to move faster than the state to reopen their economies, he credited Colorado and Oregon with the idea. “They quite literally — that’s a proof point of the work they were doing in this space — helped guide and advance our work that we are putting out,” Newsom said during a May 4 news conference. The plan was the product of conversations between five Western states’ governors who formed one of several interstate pacts that are coordinating regional responses to the coronavirus pandemic. Bu...

More Important Than Ever: Maintaining and Improving Free Trade, Investment

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

(CalChamber) The world has quickly changed over the last few months and during these strange and uncertain times, the importance of international trade has been on display across the world. Supply chains have been put to the test and global connectivity has proven vital in quickly securing much-needed supplies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. The World Trade Organization (WTO) stated in an April 2020 report that it expects world trade to fall drastically by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as normal economic activity and everyday life has been disrupted by the pandemic. The WTO expects a recovery i...

Newsom Eases California Reopening Rules, Allowing More Counties to Restart Their Economies

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) Acknowledging that more California communities are in a position to slowly reopen businesses, Gov. Gavin Newsom loosened rules linking coronavirus infection rates to allowed activities — a change that could release most parts of the state from the tightest restrictions of his stay-at-home order. “We recognize the conditions across the state are unique and distinctive depending where you are,” Newsom said. “The bottom line is people can go at their own pace and we are empowering our local health directors and county officials that understand their local communities and conditions better than any of us.” The decision by Newsom come...

Developed at UCI, New Tool Helps Predict Patients’ Risk of Coronavirus Complications

Monday, May 18, 2020

(Orange County Register) While most people who develop complications or require intensive care due to COVID-19 tend to be older or have other conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, that’s not the case for every patient. Now UC Irvine scientists have created a tool that uses artificial intelligence to help predict which patients may need that higher level of care. Already in use at UCI Medical Center and soon to be launched at five other UC campuses with affiliated hospitals, the risk prediction tool was created by a collaboration of 10 doctors and researchers at the Irvine campus. A single patient can generat...

SBA and Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application

Monday, May 18, 2020

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, has released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities. The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including: Options for borrower...

Kaiser Permanente Orange County Earns 'A" Rating in Safety

Sunday, May 17, 2020

(Patch) Kaiser Permanente Orange County hospitals were awarded an 'A' in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Anaheim and Irvine Medical Center's achievements providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients. "We are very proud of this recognition, as it further exemplifies our continuous commitment to prioritize patient safety," said Mark Costa, senior vice presiden...

Irvine Valley College Student Provides Musical Respite During Social Distancing

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Music comforts the soul, and it has the power to bring people together. Nicholas Mao, a civil engineering student at Irvine Valley College, is doing his best to provide the opportunity for both. For the past several weeks, Mao has been giving 30-60 minutes-long Friday evening piano concerts from the driveway of his family’s home in Irvine. He says it’s a way to do some social outreach during the COVID-19 shutdown. “I thought it’d be fun to play for the neighborhood. Everyone is cooped up,” Mao said. “I had just been practicing from my bedroom with the window open. A few week...

UCI to Launch Fuller Testing for Antibodies to Coronavirus

Saturday, May 16, 2020

(Orange County Register) The County of Orange has tapped UC Irvine to answer the burning question: How many people here have been infected with COVID-19? In perhaps the most comprehensive effort to date in California, researchers will examine the blood of 5,000 people for antibodies to the virus to better understand how widespread the disease has become in Orange County. Starting this month, researchers will examine a representative sample of the county’s population, set up eight to 10 drive-through sites, administer pin-prick tests to collect blood, then send the samples to UCI for analysis. Similar efforts in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties foun...

City of Hope Researchers Mine Database for COVID Clues

Friday, May 15, 2020

Researchers looking to control the spread of COVID-19 are working with City of Hope scientists who manage a 25-year-old landmark study originally developed to track breast cancer. “With a new and rapidly evolving situation like COVID-19, there’s an urgent need for more data on all aspects of this pandemic. This information could be used to develop treatments and create good policy,” said James Lacey Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Health Analytics at City of Hope and one of the principal investigators of the ongoing California Teachers Study that began in 1995. Since then, scientists have expanded the study to examine a wide rang...

Two Groundbreaking Drugs Tested to Combat COVID-19 and its Deadliest Symptoms

Friday, May 15, 2020

Two existing drugs, created by a City of Hope scientist using advanced genomic technology, are being tested for their potential to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. One could be used to prevent the novel coronavirus infection, the other to stop the “cytokine storm,” an immune system overreaction that causes most COVID deaths. Both drugs were developed by John J. Rossi, Ph. D., Lidow Family Research Chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at City of Hope, and his longtime collaborator Nagy A. Habib, M.D., of Imperial College, London. These drugs are at the forefront of an exciting new class of medications called small activating RNAs, which transmi...

UCI Professor Launches 6-Month Study of Rapidly Testing for COVID-19 Antibodies

Friday, May 15, 2020

The UC Irvine Vaccine R&D Center at UCI’s School of Medicine’s Institute for Immunology developed a way to test COVID-19 immunity against 34 coronavirus antigens, or 33 antigens from six other harmful viruses that cause respiratory infections, from a finger stick blood test using the COVID-19 Coronavirus Antigen Microarray technology developed by Dr. Felgner, director of the UCI Vaccine Research and Development Center and the Protein Microarray Laboratory and Training Facility. All within 10 minutes. The center will be conducting the six-month study using this method on UCI healthcare workers. This test provides more accurate information about anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity than most tests currently available...

UCI Receives $2.5 Million to Support COVID-19 Patient Care, Research

Friday, May 15, 2020

A $2.5 million gift from the John and Mary Tu Foundation to the University of California, Irvine is supporting COVID-19-associated patient care at UCI Health and advance clinical and translational research across campus focused on new ways to test for and treat the viral infection. As the region’s only combined academic health system and public research university, UCI is at the forefront in galvanizing an active response to the pandemic. UCI Health – the university’s clinical enterprise – and the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences have infectious disease experts, public health researchers and world-class clinicians dedicated to mitigatin...

Venture Capitalists See OC's Strong Ophthalmology Sector

Friday, May 15, 2020

(Orange County Business Journal) Despite concerns the coronavirus will bring a slowdown or halt to venture funding, the largest ophthalmic-focused venture capital firms and funds in Orange County are moving ahead with investments. Bill Link, who runs Flying L Partners’ Newport Beach outpost, and Aliso Viejo-based Visionary Ventures Managing Director Jeff Weinhuff, recently caught up with the Business Journal. Both investors expressed optimism about their recent investments, not only because of the quality of the companies, but because, they say, their focus on early-stage and generally pre-commercial companies assumes less risk than those in commercial stages. Last month, Visionary Ventures led and Flying ...

Burnt Crumbs and Burntzilla In Irvine Have Reopened for Takeout

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

(Orange County Register) Soufflé pancakes and the Spaghetti Grilled Cheese Sandwich are back. Chef-owner Paul Cao has decided to reopen Burnt Crumbs and its sister restaurant Burntzilla for takeout after a temporary closure which began in April. Last weekend, Burnt Crumbs Irvine began serving weekend brunch, and on May 11, the restaurant began serving an all-day menu including Spaghetti Grilled Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich, Nashville Hot Chicken, Smashed Onion Burger, Carne Asada Salad, fries and chips. Soufflé pancakes will only be served on the weekends. The restaurant will also offer “Grab & Go Frozen Meal Toppers” such as Chicken Pot Pie Chowda...

Gov. Newsom Releases Guidelines to Reopen Dine-In Restaurants, Malls, Offices And More In California

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

(ABC News) Gov. Gavin Newsom announced modifications to the statewide stay-at-home order to allow more businesses in California to reopen, including dine-in restaurants, shopping malls, and offices. In order to open for sit-down or dine-in service, restaurants must: Have disposable menus or post menus online so diners can view them on their own devices Cutlery, napkins, and cups should not be "pre-set" on the table before diners sit down Avoid use of shared condiments (salt shakers, ketchup, etc.) Pre-roll utensils in napkins before giving them to customers Takeout containers for leftovers must be filled by customers (not kitchen or wait staff) Thoroughly clean tables, chairs, etc. after eac...

Irvine City Council Approves Four-Phase Reopening Plan and Drive-Through Testing Program

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

At its meeting on May 12, the Irvine City Council approved a four-phase plan for reopening city facilities, services, and programs that is guided by the State’s Resilience Roadmap. The plan allows for tennis and pickleball courts to reopen now as the state moves into Stage 2 of its roadmap. Courts will be open for singles play and one-on-one city-led instruction with safety guidelines in place. When the state moves into Stage 3, city playgrounds can reopen. City athletic fields, basketball and volleyball courts, and stadiums can also reopen for practices and games in Stage 3. Facilities, including Senior Centers will open wit...

NAFTA Ends June 30, USMCA to Start July 1

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently issued a press release indicating that the United States will implement the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) starting July 1. As a consequence, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will effectively end June 30. While importers who have not claimed NAFTA on their July 2019 through June 2020 shipments will remain able to file post-entry claims for refunds based on NAFTA until June 30, 2021, the announcement means that starting July 1, 2020, importers must be ready to claim USMCA by using the newly created "S" special program indicator (SPI) on their U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 7501 form...

Orange County Meets Some State Criteria for Reopening Faster, Falls Short On Others, Officials Say

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

(Orange County Register) As Orange County prepares for a partial return to public life and activities, county officials say they’re already meeting some state benchmarks that would allow them to accelerate the reopening of businesses and resuming public gatherings. But the county falls short in other areas, and officials said some criteria that may work for smaller, rural counties are unrealistic for denser, more urban ones like theirs as the coronavirus outbreak continues. County supervisors got a full rundown on Tuesday, May 12, on where they stand with respect to the markers Gov. Gavin Newsom announced recently, and they talked about seeking change...

California Becomes First State to Switch November Election to All-Mail Balloting

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

(POLITICO) California Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 8 made California the first state to switch its November election to all-mail balloting due to concerns over physical participation during the coronavirus pandemic. Most Californians already live in counties that have opted into a new universal vote-by-mail law. But state leaders and elections officials have increasingly sounded the alarm about what happened in Wisconsin’s primary, where polling places saw long lines and crowds and many voters were fearful of the health risks of having to vote in person. Citing that “concern and anxiety around this November's election,” Newsom signed an executive order requiring counties t...

California Department of Health, OSHA Issue Guidelines for Reopening Dine-In Restaurants, Shopping Centers

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

As stay-at-home orders across the state, put in place to slow the spread of Coronavirus, are being modified, the California Department of Public Health and the California Devision of Occupational Safety and Health recently issued new guidlines for the reopening of dine-in restaurants and shopping centers. The documents provide guidance for dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries, shopping malls, destination shopping centers, strip and outlet malls, and swap meets to support a safe, clean environment for workers, customers, and the public. View the Dine-In Restaurant Guidance document here. View the Shopping Center Guidance document here.

County of Orange Receives $900,000 for Dislocated Workers

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The County of Orange has received a $900,000 grant from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to provide economic support for dislocated workers. Orange County residents whose employment recently ended as a result of COVID-19 are eligible for the Orange County Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. The program is designed to meet employer needs by helping job seekers upgrade skills, obtain employment, gain credential, and improve job retention and increase earnings. The grant will support approximately 1,500 Orange County residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and need assistance. Orange County WIOA Adult & Dislocated Worker program participants are eligible t...

Newsom Joins Four Governors In Seeking $1 Trillion In Federal Relief For All States

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

(LA Times) California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his counterparts in four Western states asked Congress for $1 trillion in COVID-19 pandemic relief for all states and local governments. Newsom joined with the governors of Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Colorado, as well as legislative leaders from the five states, in asking the House and Senate for the aid. The governors said the funds would be critical for public health programs, law enforcement and schools. “Without federal support, states and cities will be forced to make impossible decisions — like whether to fund critical public healthcare that will help us recover, or prevent layoffs o...

For Malls and Others, Reopenings in Limbo

Monday, May 11, 2020

(Orange County Register) Macy’s, Kohls, and Nordstrom are sanitizing their stores and getting ready for customers as some of the nation’s businesses start to thaw after two months in a coronavirus deep freeze. And new rules Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled May 7 outline parameters for how California businesses like restaurants, tanning salons, and stores may soon be joining them. But don’t make plans to visit Southern California’s shopping malls anytime soon. There’s a long laundry list of benchmarks California counties must meet to reopen ahead of a yet-to-be-announced statewide schedule. And, so far, Southern California counties fail to meet the two biggest criteria righ...

IVC Paralegal Instructor Hard at Work at the OC Court Self-Help Center

Monday, May 11, 2020

Irvine Valley College (IVC) paralegal studies instructor Renato Izquieta is busy on the front line of the local justice system, supervising the Orange County Superior Court Self-Help Center. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Izquieta continues to assist individuals with emergency civil and probate services, such as protecting those facing elder abuse. At the onset of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, experts cautioned there was a risk of an increase in cases such as domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse. Izquieta realized there was a greater need than ever for staff at the OC Court Self-Help Center wh...

Orange County Great Plates Delivered Program Provides Economic Stimulus to Local Restaurants

Monday, May 11, 2020

In response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s April 24 announcement of the California Emergency Feeding Program, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalEOS) and City of Irvine staff have participated in a number of conference calls with representatives from the County of Orange regarding the logistics of a new program branded Great Plates Delivered. Great Plates Delivered is designed to provide meals to adults 65 and older and adults 60-64 who are at high-risk and are unable to access meals while staying at home and are ineligible for other nutrition programs, and to support local restaurants and other food providers and t...

Reopen your Building Safely: Refresh the Water First

Monday, May 11, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many businesses, schools, homes, and other buildings unused for weeks. Before people return to these structures, the water needs to be refreshed. Under normal use, water pipes maintain a chlorine residual that protects public health and aesthetic water quality. Water that sits for a few weeks becomes stagnant. If you are reopening a closed building, Irvine Ranch Water District recommends you take the following steps: Identify all water taps, toilets, shower and bathtub fixtures, refrigerator/freezers with an ice maker or water supply, drinking fountains, and any other source of potable water. Turn on all the water taps with drains simultaneousl...

UCI Researchers Create Tech That Could Help with COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Monday, May 11, 2020

(Spectrum News 1) California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said one of the parameters of getting back to some sort of normal is having a system that can help track where people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 have been. One tool is in the works in Southern California that is using the power of technology to help with contact tracing, while protecting privacy. A software engineer at UC Irvine has helped develop the foundation for something that could eventually help with that contact tracing. And all it takes is using the camera to scan a QR code. And it will take you to sit...

Dr. Robinson is a Leading Authority on Infection Prevention and a Calming Force for Frontline Health Care Providers at Hoag

Saturday, May 09, 2020

As Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology at Hoag, Philip Robinson, MD, FIDSA, has led the COVID-19 efforts for Hoag. In January, the Orange County Health Care Agency selected Hoag to care for California’s first COVID-19 patient, who has since fully recovered. In March, he provided advice on COVID-19 to the community during the City of Irvine’s COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall in March. Dr. Robinson is the principal investigator at Hoag for the Gilead COVID-19 Remdesivir Clinical Trial and sub-investigator for Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Dr. Robinson has played a crucial rol...

Governor Newsom Releases Updated Industry Guidance

Saturday, May 09, 2020

Following up on the state’s announcement that it will begin modifying the stay at home order on Friday, May 8, Governor Gavin Newsom today released updated industry guidance – including for retail, manufacturing, and logistics – to begin reopening with modifications that reduce risk and establish a safer environment for workers and customers. Click here to see the new guidance. “Californians, working together, have flattened the curve. Because of that work, our health data tells us that California can enter the next stage of this pandemic and gradually begin to restart portions of our economy,” said Governor Newsom. “It’s critical that businesses an...

Families Forward Serves Exponentially More Families in Need Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Friday, May 08, 2020

Families Forward has seen an exponential increase in requests for service since social distancing measures went into place. Families the organization serves are those that are most likely to be negatively impacted by the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 outbreak. From March 16 to May 1, Families Forward provided food assistance to 3,865 families—more than 18,000 individuals. To put this number into perspective, for the entire month of February, Families Forward provided food assistance to a total of 241 families. Additionally, Families Forward has received nearly 200 requests for emergency housing and employment assistance due to either job loss or decreas...

Travel and Tourism, a Vital Economic Driver to the Irvine Economy

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

In 2019, traveler expenditures for Irvine came to an estimated $781 million, an increase of 3.9% over 2018, according to the 2019 Visitor Impact report conducted specifically for Irvine by Dean Runyan Associates, on behalf of Destination Irvine. The Irvine travel industry contributed $49.6 million in local and state taxes. Without visitor spending, it is estimated, that resident households in Irvine would each pay $560 more a year in state and local taxes. “Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) pay for local services, said President and CEO of Greater Irvine Chamber Bryan Starr. “In Irvine, the 8% TOT, which is paid by hotel guests, account...

EV Charging Company Moves US Headquarters to Irvine

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(Orange County Register) Noodoe EV, a Taiwanese maker of electric vehicle charging systems, has moved its U.S. headquarters to Irvine from Walnut. Company CEO Jennifer Chang said the move to a bigger facility was fueled by a growing demand for the company’s products in North America. Last year, Noodoe installed nearly 1,000 EV charging stations at U.S. casinos, hotels, parking lots and shopping malls. The company entered the U.S. market three years ago but has been servicing Europe and Asia for about eight years. Chang said Noodoe chose Irvine based on its “incredible talent base in all things tech.” “Like Noodoe, Irvine is growing fast,&rdquo...

Great Park Projects Shift to Next Phase

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(Orange County Register) With many of the sports and nature amenities completed at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, development is shifting to several new buildings, including a firefighting museum and a public safety training center. The city also was expected to finalize a lease for the new Wild Rivers water park, after signing one in December for a relocated Pretend City Children’s Museum. In the northwest corner of the park, the planned Fire Museum and Safety Learning Center will include interactive exhibits, displays and information about the history of firefighting and fire prevention education. Its estimated $25 million cost will b...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber May 2020 Member of the Month

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Jorge Mora, business development consultant, KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber May 2020 Member of the Month. “Hands down, the most significant benefit that I’ve received as a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber are the relationships I’ve made. I have had the pleasure of meeting some phenomenal individuals across a wide variety of professions and have the privilege of now calling many of them friends,” said Mora. “I’ve also been very successful converting some leads into new business. I highly recommend the Chamber to anyone looking to meet top-notch professionals.” A member since 2019, Mora has regularly attended Networker...

Small Employers and New Emergency FMLA

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the responsibilities small employers have under the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA), and how the new leave differs from the regular Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). EFMLA Applies to Small Employers Part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act provides paid protected leave to employees who cannot work due to having to care for a child who cannot attend school or daycar...

Telework During Pandemic Could Affect Future Remote Work Requests

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(CalChamber) If an employer allows employees to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, will the employer have to allow them to continue teleworking after the California shelter-in-place order is lifted? For disabled employees, would an employer have to automatically grant telework as a reasonable accommodation if the employees wish to continue the arrangement after the pandemic is over? Unless there is a disability-related limitation that may require teleworking, an employer has no legal obligation to allow employees to continue teleworking once the California shelter-in-place order is lifted. If there is a disability-related limitation, but the employer can effectively address the need with another for...

West Coast Organizations Promote Trade to Fuel Economic Recovery

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

(CalChamber) The California Chamber of Commerce, the Pacific Northwest International Trade Association, and the Washington Council on International Trade shared their support and principles for trade rebound this week in Pacific Northwest International Trade Associationa joint letter to President Donald J. Trump with copies to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, and the congressional delegations of California, Oregon, and Washington. As the U.S. economy slows, it is critical that international trade and investment opportunities are expanded, market access for domestic products abroad are promoted, and disincentives that impede the global competitiveness of U.S businesses and farmers are eliminated. California, Oregon, and Washington ar...

Irvine Named a Best City to Stay-in-Place in the United States

Monday, May 04, 2020

With every major U.S. city under stay-in-place orders, a popular radio station issued a list of American cities from best to worst when it comes to living under social distancing mandates. Irvine made the #2 spot on the list. (Although, we strongly argue it should be #1!) The criteria used for the ranking include average apartment size, the amount of parkland per person, percentage of residents with broadband internet, and the number of restaurant takeout options. Master-planned features of Irvine make complying to stay-at-home orders more comfortable. An extensive network of beautifully-appointed villages that have always connected us, now helps us adhere to social distancing. Irvine resident...

Linda DiMario, Lucy Dunn, Others on UCI Forum Panelists Discussing COVID-19, Where Business is Now, What to Expect Next

Monday, May 04, 2020

What are the ramifications of this new reality brought on by the Coronavirus crisis for the business community? Technology and innovation have been important factors for some businesses to continue operating, but Orange County is a dynamic ecosystem also comprising of biotech, healthcare, tourism, higher education, and manufacturing; how will they factor into the region’s recovery? Orange County business leaders shared their insights during a May 1 webinar on reopening the economy and what’s being done to combat the challenges facing the OC business community as a result of business closures, stay-in-place orders, and precautions taken to stave off a spike in COVID-19 cases. Following ...

UCI and Local Businesses Team Up to Produce New Type of Mask

Monday, May 04, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) UC Irvine physicians, Dr. Melissa Chang and Dr. Aditi Sharma, have teamed up with OC Cutworks, a local fabric cutting business, to produce thousands of face masks for hospital workers. The new type of protective masks are made from recycled material once used to sterilize surgical equipment. Dr. Aditi Sharma, a resident physician in the UC Irvine Health dermatology department, said the sterilization wraps can be used in masks that filter up to 87% of particles, which is almost as effective as N95 masks, which have a filtration efficiency of 95%. Sharma believes the masks can be produced in abundance, helping solve th...

City of Hope Receives $750,000 in Funding from California’s Stem Cell Agency for Clinical Trial

Sunday, May 03, 2020

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $750,000 to City of Hope’s John Zaia, M.D., on for his first clinical study on COVID-19 after approving emergency funding last month. Zaia, program director of City of Hope’s CIRM-funded Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, will be conducting a study to administer blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to treat those with the virus. (The mission of the City of Hope Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, part of the CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Network, is to accelerate stem cell-based clinical therapies in regenerative medicine.) Plasma is a component of blood that carries proteins called antibodies tha...

Dean of UCI’s School of Population Health, Bernadette Boden-Albala Provides Expert Council on COVID-19

Sunday, May 03, 2020

The Dean of UCI’s School of Population Health, Bernadette Boden-Albala, Dr.P.H.—a renowned researcher and administrator whose efforts to reduce health disparities for America’s disadvantaged became a blueprint for community-based stroke and heart disease prevention—is at the forefront of the region’s response to COVID-19 on several fronts, drawing upon her experience of working to provide solutions in response to other major diseases. She is a member of a statewide panel of experts that inform California’s public health response on the pandemic. At the university level, Dean Boden-Albala provides counsel to UCI leadership on best practices to help ensure the health and safety of th...

Edwards Lifesciences Repurposes Kitchen to Prepare Meals for the Needy Amid COVID-19 Stay-in-Place Orders

Sunday, May 03, 2020

(Orange County Register) Scott Ullem was trying to come up with ways to raise money for an Orange County Coronavirus fund when a novel idea struck him. Rather than just raising cash, how about using his company’s underutilized kitchen to turn out meals for the homeless, the Edwards Lifesciences chief financial officer thought. After all, the Irvine-based medical device manufacturer — on partial lockdown since the COVID-19 outbreak shuttered a major portion of the U.S. economy — has a 7,000-square-foot commercial kitchen at its LINC Café. The cafe is working at just 60% of its capacity with a portion of its 50-member catering staf...

Does the California Consumer Privacy Act Prevent Me from Checking Employees’ Temperatures?

Saturday, May 02, 2020

(CalChamber) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our economy, business owners are trying their best to ensure that employees returning to the workplace are safe to resume their duties, particularly when those duties involve interactions with other people. For this reason, many businesses are implementing safety procedures that often include temperature checks for employees resuming their work. One issue that may not be top of mind for an employer with regard to temperature checks is California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). How does a law that was supposed to be targeted at big tech companies who collected a consumer’s data online apply t...

Irvine Offers Coronavirus Testing to Residents

Saturday, May 02, 2020

(Orange County Register) [Editor's note: Reservations for testing have reached capacity as of July 15, 2020. Reservations are no longer being accepted.] In the next few weeks, Irvine officials will offer residents testing for infection with the coronavirus by making an online appointment and showing up at a drive-through test site. At the request of Councilman Michael Carroll, the Irvine City Council voted on April 28, to create a testing program for city employees and residents. Carroll said officials are talking to labs to find a partner to process the tests and he would like to launch the program in a few weeks. The impetus t...

UCI Medical Center’s Dr. Sebastian Schubl Volunteers at New York Hospital

Friday, May 01, 2020

(Orange County Register) The man had already spent two weeks on a ventilator at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, critically ill from COVID-19 and in a medically induced coma when he and Dr. Sebastian Schubl met. Schubl, 43, a trauma and critical care surgeon at UCI Medical Center, saw a lot of patients during his recent week-long stint volunteering at the New York hospital — the same hospital where he started his career 15 years ago. But that one man on the ventilator made an impression. Maybe it was because Schubl and the man were about the same age. Maybe it was because they both hav...

Colorado, Nevada Join California, Oregon, Washington in Western States Pact

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak today announced their respective states are joining California, Oregon, and Washington in the Western States Pact – a working group of Western state governors with a shared vision for modifying stay at home orders and fighting COVID-19. “I want to thank Colorado and Nevada for joining the Western States Pact,” said Governor Newsom. “COVID-19 doesn’t follow state or national boundaries, and it will take every level of government, working together to get the upper hand on this virus.” “Coloradans are working together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have important information t...

Irvine Tapped Once More for Tech Testing Grounds

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

(OC Business Journal) The city of Irvine has again been selected as the go-to for another technology test. This time it’s autonomous delivery by Fremont-based tech firm Pony.ai, which is using a fleet of autonomous vehicles for grocery and other product delivery in the city of more than 280,000 people. It’s a fitting time. The company – which focuses on autonomous driving technology – said with the state’s shelter-in-place order in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a subsequent ramp in online ordering. The vehicle fleet of 10 all-electric Hyundai Konas are being beta tested to provide the last leg of th...

Orange County Names New Health Care Agency Head

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

(Orange County Register) Dr. Clayton Chau, who previously spent more than a decade in the Orange County Health Care Agency’s behavioral health division, has been named the agency’s new director. The county announced the selection of Chau on Monday, April 27 – about a month after the position opened up when Richard Sanchez left it to head CalOptima, which provides health insurance to the county’s low-income residents. “Dr. Chau brings a wealth of experience to HCA, particularly within the realm of behavioral health. I look forward to working with him on tackling our greatest healthcare issues,” county CEO Frank Kim said in ...

Orange County United Way Helps Families During COVID-19 Crisis

Monday, April 27, 2020

The Orange County United Way is helping to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus on employment and income for many families across Orange County. OC United Way reported that requests for help with food and housing keep climbing, week by week. In March, there were 57,800 claims for unemployment insurance filed in Orange County, according to a report from the California Employment Development Department. Meanwhile, data from 211 Orange County shows there have been 11,124 requests for assistance with Food/Meals and 8,640 for help with housing. These two categories remain as the most significant categories for caller needs. Through its Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program, in a single week, OC Unite...

Coronavirus Trackers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Tracking by County State’s Daily Actions Everything You Need to Know About California’s Response to Coronavirus Daily Coronavirus Tracker Coronavirus State by State

Column: Give Newsom Credit. He’s Trying It All to Fight Coronavirus and California’s Economic

Thursday, April 23, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom has been throwing lots of stuff on the wall and hoping it sticks — sort of like FDR during the Great Depression. No, I’m not really equating Newsom with Franklin D. Roosevelt, the greatest president of the 20th century. For one thing, Roosevelt was one of history’s most inspiring and comforting orators. Newsom tries, but he’s long-winded, repetitive and jargon-prone: “Meet this moment.” “In real time.” But California’s governor deserves lots of credit for — like Roosevelt — trying many things as the state staggers through a health pandemic and economic collapse. Newsom is announcing a new projec...

Legalities of Rehiring Employees After COVID-19 Layoffs

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Since the Coronavirus pandemic has taken hold, many employers have been in the unfortunate position of having to either reduce their employees’ hours or lay off their employees. Although the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — which offers loans designed to help small businesses with fewer than 500 employees stay afloat and keep workers employed during these trying times — ran out of money 13 days after its launch, the Senate on April 21 passed another bill that allocates $310 billion more into the program and an additional $60 billion to a separate small business emergency grant and loan program. The House expects t...

Pandemic Throws Global Economy Into Deeper Decline

Thursday, April 23, 2020

(Reuters) Global economic activity all but ground to a halt this month as government-imposed lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic took a particularly heavy toll on the world’s service industry, surveys showed. The outbreak, which has infected more than 2.6 million people and killed more than 180,000 globally, has also crippled manufacturing, shutting factories and upending supply chains. Meanwhile, with restaurants, bars, and other leisure options closed, holidays canceled and travel restricted, the situation in the services industry was dire. To try and support economies reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, governments and central banks around the world have unleashed unprecedented amounts of fisca...

David Feldberg Earns Q2 2020 Rainmaker Title with $2 Million in Closed Business Referrals

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

David Feldberg has earned the Greater Irvine Chamber’s title of Rainmaker for the second quarter in 2020 with $2,221,500 in closed business referrals. His performance in the Wednesday Leads Group contributed to the group’s total of $4,344,427, making it the top-earning Leads Groups for total closed business from referrals during the period. “The Greater Irvine Chamber continues to be a great source of business for me year after year. Joining the Chamber is, without a doubt, the single best business decision I have ever made for my business,” said Feldberg. “Each year that I am involved, I further cement the friendship...

Avoid Liability: On-Call Rules to Know

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the difference between “restricted” and “unrestricted” on-call shifts, and what issues may arise with the Paycheck Protection Program if employers place workers on on-call shifts. Restricted vs. Unrestricted As more employees are allowed to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place county ordinances, employers may find that not all positions have enough work to complete full-time hours, Frank says. To balance company needs, some employees are being shifted to on-call status, working only if the compan...

White House, US Customs and Border Protection Allow 90-Day Normal Trade Relation Duty Deferral for Certain Importers

Monday, April 20, 2020

The White House on April 19 released the text of an Executive Order allowing the temporary extension of deadlines for importers suffering significant financial hardship because of COVID-19 to pay certain types of duties. On the same day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a temporary final rule to implement the Executive Order and to create a new section to 19 CFR 24.1 (the new section will be designated as 19 CFR 24.1a). CBP also released two CSMS messages: 42421561 and 42423171. Under the Temporary Final Rule, CBP is amending the CBP regulations to temporarily postpone the deadline for importers o...

$350B in COVID-19 Relief Funds for Small Business Depleted

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans have been exhausted. While Congress is working on a second round of small-business funding, the SBA is not accepting new EIDL applications, and banks are not accepting new PPP applications. If you have an EIDL application in the SBA queue already, it will be reviewed. If you have a PPP application pending with a bank, check with your bank regarding how they are managing their queue. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed into law last month, rolled out the SBA’...

Six Criteria Will Determine When Gov. Newsom Lifts State's Lockdown

Saturday, April 18, 2020

The California Governor Gavin Newsom in April announced six requirements his administration will need to meet before he begins easing statewide shelter-in-place restrictions. Questions loom. 1.) Testing and tracking The state will need to develop the ability to test and track those who are sick. Are there enough tests to test everyone with symptoms? Are there enough public health workers to investigate every last possible case? 2.) Containment strategies The state will need to be able to isolate those who are sick. Is the state ready to contain fresh outbreaks, particularly in high-risk locations like prisons or senior housing facilities? 3.) Health care capacity The state will nee...

MemorialCare's Dr. Taub Finds Creative Way to Inspire Frontline Caregivers

Friday, April 17, 2020

As Medical Director of Emergency Services at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, Dr. Marc Taub was instrumental in ensuring MemorialCare’s readiness for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the Medical Center’s Emergency Department created specialized procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the continued safety, exceptional care, and well-being of patients, physicians, and staff—the kind of work he leads his team to do every day. “What makes Dr. Taub stand out during this challenging time is the way he leads his team with love and compassion,” said Marcia Manker, CEO, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. “He never stops his pursuit of finding way...

Reopen California? That’s the Toughest Phase Yet, Newsom Says

Thursday, April 16, 2020

When will Californians emerge from house confinement? What will life look like? In a roadmap unveiled on April 14 with top public health officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not lift his shelter-in-place order until adequate suppression and mitigation measures are in place to prevent future flare-ups. That means tracking down the sick and isolating clusters of new infections, arming hospitals with adequate equipment, and setting new guidelines for schools and businesses to reopen. In short, it might be a while. The governor told reporters not to even ask him about the timeline until hospitalizations and intensive care caseloads begin t...

US Chamber Accepts Nominations for Small Business Awards, $25,000 Top Prize

Thursday, April 16, 2020

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Chase for Business, is accepting nominations for the Dream Big Awards, an annual awards program that honors the achievements of small businesses and highlights their contributions to America’s economic growth. The Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a small business that exemplifies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and individual initiative. Additionally, eligible small businesses may apply for one of six Business Achievement Awards: Emerging Business Green/Sustainable Business Minority-Owned Business Veteran-Owned Business Woman-Owned Business Young Entrepreneur Business Finalists for each of the six Business Achievement and Dream Big Small Business of the Year awards are eligible for the Communit...

US Chamber unveils Save Small Business Initiative Aimed at Economic Recovery from COVID-19 Crisis

Thursday, April 16, 2020

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on April 15 unveiled its Save Small Business Initiative to address the immediate needs of the small business community, mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilize support for long-term recovery in the wake of the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to a call to action for the broader business community and government to help small businesses, the four-part campaign includes supplemental financial assistance, advocacy, resources, webinars and guides, and research. The U.S. Chamber Foundation is supporting the supplemental financial assistance by launching its Save Small Business Fund. Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the U.S. Chamber Foundatio...

Online Processing of Export Documentation Now Available Through Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber has always been a valued resource for Irvine and Orange County exporting businesses for the processing of export documentation, among many other areas of business growth support. Now, for added convenience, especially during these times of social distancing and remote working, the Chamber offers exporters an online solution. Digital export documentation of Certificates of Origin, Free Sale, and Good Manufacturing Practices, are available through the Greater Irvine Chamber’s online processing service. Beginning April 16, companies can upload documents to the site for review and approval. Processing fees will be waived for the first Certificate of Origin uploaded (one per company...

Six Factors Will Determine When California’s Economy Can Begin to Reopen

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the six key indicators that will guide California’s decision on when to modify stay-at-home orders and slowly begin reopening the state’s economy. The Governor noted that the progress in flattening the curve, increased preparedness of the state’s health care delivery system and the effects of other COVID-19 interventions have yielded positive results. These actions, however, have also affected the economy and poverty in California, with 2.3 million unemployment claims filed in the last four weeks alone. Any consideration of modifying the stay-at-home order must be done using a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework, Newsom said. California Chamber of Commerc...

This Is Where All 50 States Stand on Reopening

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Editor's note: Due to an error in another story, here is information on digital export documentation of Certificates of Origin, Free Sale, and Good Manufacturing Practices, that are now available through the Greater Irvine Chamber’s online processing service. Create an account here. Full story here. This Is Where All 50 States Stand on Reopening the Shelter-in-Place Order: More than 90% of the U.S. population is currently under a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order as the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend life as we know it. But worries for the economy -- and people's mental health -- are raising the question: When will things go back t...

Wage and Hour Considerations for Remote Workers

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

How do an employer’s pay obligations differ when an hourly/nonexempt employee is working remotely from home? It’s important for employers to keep in mind that when having a nonexempt employee work remotely, obligations under California’s wage and hour laws remain the same, and employers need to ensure measures are in place to maintain accurate records of the employees’ hours worked. In addition to accurately tracking all hours worked by nonexempt remote employees, it’s critical for employers to ensure their employees take required meal and rest breaks, get paid for any overtime hours, and are not engaging in “off-the-clock” work (there is n...

California Colleges and Universities Share In $1.7 Billion In Emergency Stimulus Funds

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

California’s colleges and universities will see more than $1.7 billion from the new federal stimulus law to help stave off the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but they say more is needed. At least half of that money will go directly to students, many of whom have watched their campuses close, their jobs disappear, and their schools shift in-person classes online in the past few weeks. Three California State University campuses are in the top 10 nationally in stimulus dollars awarded, which is mostly based on a campus’s number of low-income students receiving federal Pell Grants. The current maximum Pell Grant i...

Samuel Johnson Appointed Interim CEO of Transportation Corridor Agencies

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Boards of Directors have unanimously appointed Samuel Johnson to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer. Since joining TCA in 2015 as Chief Toll Operations Officer, Johnson has had responsibility and oversight for the Agencies’ tolling systems, customer service, revenue management, violation processing, toll compliance, customer experience communications, and information technology functions. He championed the statewide effort to adopt sticker transponders and implemented strategic contracting approaches for systems and services that have enhanced customer service and improved the Agencies’ fiscal position, saving millions of dollars per year. Johnson serves as president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpik...

What California Is Doing to Prepare for Elections During the Pandemic

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

It’s not enough to declare a trend, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a daily news briefing. Don’t make it your headline, he cautioned. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units across the state had decreased to 1,132 from 1,154 the day before, he said — a 1.9% decline. Slight, to be sure. “Nonetheless,” he said, “it is encouraging.” After sharing that news, the governor sought to allay concerns from officials in some counties, including Riverside, that the state’s move to loan ventilators to other states left California’s own hospitals in a precarious spot. “It was the right thing to do and i...

Irvine Restaurants Show Support for Community Among COVID-19 Crisis

Monday, April 13, 2020

With many struggling to make ends meet amid the health crisis, Irvine restaurants are showing their support through free meals, fundraiser campaigns, and donations. Panini Kabob Grill, a Greater Irvine Chamber restaurant member, recently donated meals to the doctors, nurses, techs, and support staff on the front lines at CHOC Children's Hospital. The Melt is offering a free to-go meal to all hospital and medical staff that show their hospital badge/ID. Each week, Greater Irvine Chamber restaurant member Twenty Eight is donating 200 meals to hospitals and first responders as part of “Thankful Thursday.” To see what some other Irvine restaurants are doing to support th...

Irvine Teen Creates COVID-19 Donation Clearinghouse Website

Monday, April 13, 2020

Like a lot of seniors in Irvine high schools, Jackie Ni should be looking forward to prom and graduation right now, but because of stay-in-place orders, that's not happening. Instead, he's using his time for homeschooling and combating COVID-19, “one crate at a time.” In just a few short weeks, the Sage Hill High School senior has developed a website, supplycrate.org, that offers a transparent and efficient way for individuals and organizations to make medical supply donations. So far, through his website, more than 136,000 masks, from medical-grade N95's to fabric face coverings, have been collected. While there are websites that match donor...

IVC Foundation Establishes Emergency Fund for Students, Staff Impacted by COVID-19

Monday, April 13, 2020

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Irvine Valley College Foundation has established an Emergency Fund to provide immediate emergency bridge funding to impacted students and employees of the college. Click here for more information or to donate to the fund. The Irvine Valley College Foundation provides support to enhance teaching and learning at Irvine Valley College, cultivating resources for students including access to an exceptional education and a caring campus community.

Concordia University Biology Majors at Epicenter of Coronavirus Testing Lab

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Two biology majors from Concordia University in Irvine are now at the epicenter of coronavirus testing, working inside one of the first labs in the nation to develop the test. They are using their skills as scientists but with compassion. Hannah Hopkins and Anna Chao were roommates at Concordia when their campus closed. They realized they wanted to finish out the school year together. Now they are working side by side in a lab at the University of Washington. It's where they spend their nights, 40 hours a week consolidating COVID-19 specimens. Lab officials say they arrive in so many different types o...

World Trade Organization Annual Report: Trade Numbers Fall

Friday, April 10, 2020

From the April 8 release of the annual World Trade Organization (WTO) report from Geneva, the key message is: “This crisis is first and foremost a health crisis which has forced governments to take unprecedented measures to protect people’s lives,” WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said. “The unavoidable declines in trade and output will have painful consequences for households and businesses, on top of the human suffering caused by the disease itself. “The immediate goal is to bring the pandemic under control and mitigate the economic damage to people, companies and countries. But policymakers must start planning for the aftermath of the pandemic,&rdquo...

Jennifer Annes Named Greater Irvine Chamber April 2020 Member of the Month

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Jennifer Annes, director of business development, Enterprise Data Solutions, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber April 2020 Member of the Month. “In my time as a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber, I have learned the value, integrity, heart, and mind of the many people who work and live in this community each and every day. They are true collaborators and mentors, and together we are making a difference,” said Annes. “When you have this type of impact, your business is better, your communities are better, and there is more to go around for everyone.” Since joining the Chamber in 2018...

SBA Special Edition Interactive Webinar for Irvine Businesses, April 10

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office and CSUF Small Business Development Center, in partnership with the City of Irvine and the Greater Irvine Chamber, will host a Special Edition Interactive Webinar exclusively for the Irvine businesses community, on Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. REGISTER to join the Zoom webinar. The webinar will include a discussion and Q&A session with SBA experts on the organization’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), designed to provide working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19, as well as the Disaster Bridg...

California Among the States Least Economically Vulnerable to Coronavirus

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

California is more prepared to weather an economic storm than nearly any other state in the nation. According to a new report from Wallet Hub, California is the second least exposed state in the U.S. to the economic impacts of coronavirus. “California’s increase in the number of unemployment insurance initial claims is among the lowest in the country,” Jill Gonzalez of Wallet Hub, tells GlobeSt.com. “The state also has the fifth largest share of workers with access to paid sick leave, 91%. Another factor that contributed to California’s economy being the second least exposed to the coronavirus is the state’s rainy-da...

Fed Preparing to Finance New Small-Business Payroll Loans

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

The Federal Reserve announced it would create a new program to finance loans that banks and other lenders make through the government’s emergency small-business lending program. The move will free up financial firms to make more loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP), part of a $2.2 trillion economic relief package President Trump signed last month to help individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement the Fed said that to facilitate more lending to small businesses, it would establish a facility that offers term financing backed by PPP loans. It said additional details woul...

Make the Most of Home Tech Time, IT CEO Says

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

You and your home computer are going to be spending plenty of time together these next few weeks or months. Tech-wise, put those long hours to good use. Here is a game plan very kindly put together for the Business Journal by Sebastian Igreti, chief executive of IT services, consulting and cybersecurity company TechMD. IoT: Take inventory of your in-home IT and IoT devices and check whether they are still operating on default passwords and settings. Investigate if your Alexa is snooping in your conversations—change the privacy and permissions settings and be happy about that. If your internet router still has the defaul...

Passage of $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Will Help Wide Variety of Businesses and Workers

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Small businesses are a bedrock of American life, employing friends, neighbors, and nearly half of California’s workforce. They aren’t just companies, they are cornerstones of our communities. And with the significant public health and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, California’s four million small businesses are being forced to make difficult decisions about how to keep their businesses afloat, their staff employed, and their rents or mortgages covered. As communities work to combat this public health threat together, it’s more evident than ever that the viability of small businesses is critical to America’s families. Last week, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief...

Required FFCRA Documentation, Recordkeeping for New Federal Paid Leave (COVID-19)

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

The new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has dominated employers’ attention with its provisions for emergency paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has been trying to answer employers’ questions leading up to April 1, but one issue that remained unclear was the documentation employers should obtain from employees taking leave under the new law. On April 1, 2020, the same day the FFCRA took effect, the DOL issued regulations that specifically addressed the issue. The new FFCRA regulations require employees to provid...

SoCalGas Launches Assistance Program for Customers Facing Financial Hardship due to COVID-19

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has launched a campaign, SoCalGas CAREs, for customers whose income may have recently changed due to COVID-19 or other reasons. The campaign aims to let customers know of their eligibility to qualify for SoCalGas' assistance program, California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), saving them 20 percent on their monthly natural gas bills. "SoCalGas is committed to assisting the communities we serve during this challenging period," said Jeff Walker, vice president of Customer Solutions at SoCalGas. "We recognize that many families are facing unexpected hardships such as job and income loss right now and we want to remind them that SoCalGas' assistance program...

Irvine Co. Provides Rent Flexibility

Monday, April 06, 2020

Orange County’s largest real estate owner adjusted its business model for residential and commercial properties in response to coronavirus concerns. In addition to upping cleaning efforts like other local landlords, Irvine Co. has offered rent payment flexibility for retail and apartment tenants. “We understand these are unprecedented times for our country and the world,” Butch Knerr, president of Irvine Company Retail Properties, said in a letter to retail tenants. “Working together, we will move forward and emerge stronger than ever.” It counts a commercial portfolio of nearly 35 million square feet in Orange County and nearly 60 million square feet companywide; and ha...

Larger Businesses Share in CARES Provisions

Monday, April 06, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Donald Trump has provisions to help larger businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Under the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act of 2020 Fund is created for larger businesses, nonprofit companies, states, and municipalities. The $500 billion package includes the following loan and loan guarantee provisions: $25 billion for passenger planes; $4 billion for cargo planes; $17 billion for businesses critical to maintaining national security; and $454 billion for distressed businesses meeting specified criteria, determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Terms and Conditions No stock or equity buybacks or dividends and other capital distribution...

Octane Announces Second Non-Profit Accelerator Cohort

Monday, April 06, 2020

Octane recently announced the second cohort of its Non-Profit Accelerator program, which is modeled after its LaunchPad SBDC accelerator for business and life science companies. The pro bono service is made possible through a partnership with the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation. The new cohort includes: Achievement Institute of Scientific Studies, a nonprofit that guides disadvantaged students interested in STEM careers; Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, which offers free college-access programs to first-generation students, from middle school to college graduation. The organization received a $28,000 gift from Kingston Technology earlier this month; Patient Safety Movement Foundation in Irvine, a Joe Kiani-created group focuses on eliminating preventable harm...

Tough Times: Real Help Right Now Episode 1 - HR

Monday, April 06, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber's new video series, Tough Times: Real Help Right Now, features industry experts in the greater Irvine business community providing a deep dive into real-time, relevant, and essential information for businesses as they respond to the current global health crisis. This episode features human resources expert Brian Montes of Scaleocity Works as he provides tips and tools to navigate daily business changes. Stay tuned for future episodes of the Crisis Management & Recovery Strategies for Small Business series. Resources provided by speaker: Company Property Policy Template Forgiveable Small Business Loan Information Sheet Sample Furlough Letter Content provided by volunteer presenters for this video series doe...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation Invites Community to Share COVID-19 Response Ideas

Monday, April 06, 2020

UCI Beall Applied Innovation has issued an invitation to the UCI community to share their ideas for the fight against COVID-19. “We are in the midst of a pandemic and we know that there is an entrepreneur, industry collaborator, faculty researcher, student innovator, or funding partner that has developed an idea or prototype or concept that might play a role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 or curing those ailing because of it,” said Executive Officer Richard Sudek. Contact one of UCI Beall Applied Innovation’s experts below with your startup, product idea, or resource need related to COVID-19. Whether you’re an individual...

UCI Health Names Chad Lefteris as New CEO

Monday, April 06, 2020

The UC Irvine health system has named Chad Lefteris as its new chief executive. Lefteris will oversee the overall UCI Health operation, which includes UCI Medical Center in Orange and more than a dozen outpatient research and specialty care centers throughout Orange County and parts of Riverside County. He has been UCI Health’s chief operating officer since December 2018. His appointment as CEO comes amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. UCI announced that it is participating in a clinical trial to test the antiviral drug remdesivir as a potential treatment for COVID-19. “After a nationwide search, the search committee identified the ideal candidate within ou...

New California Health Corps Enlists Health Professionals

Sunday, April 05, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom has called on recently retired doctors and soon-to-be-graduated medical and nursing students to join the California Health Corps to help care for COVID-19 patients. Over recent four days, the number of Californians being treated for the virus in ICUs tripled and the number of hospitalizations doubled. Not only will the state need an extra 50,000 hospital beds by mid-May, it will also need a “human capital surge,” the governor said. “If you’re a nursing school student or medical school student, we need you. If you just retired in the last few years, we need you. If you are looking to expan...

Big Picture Changes to Unemployment Insurance, Related Benefits under CARES Act

Friday, April 03, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and, Economic Security Act (CARES Act) made sweeping changes and added new benefits to the program, so during the near-term the state Employment Development Department (EDD) will interpret these changes and implement them to provide the new benefits. New Benefit Amount In addition to the normal unemployment insurance (UI) payments (up to $450/week, depending on salary), applicants may receive up to an additional $600/week until July 31, 2020—meaning that workers may receive up to 100% wage replacement. However, EDD’s outdated internal data processing system may hinder its ability to timely change the benefits calculations. As a result, i...

City of Irvine to Follow California State Guidelines Regarding Face Coverings

Friday, April 03, 2020

California’s public health officials released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19 for those who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities. The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. On March 24, the Irvine City Council passed a resolution strongly recommending that all retail sales businesses and service businesses provide protective supplies to their employees. This past weekend more than 9,000 masks were distributed throughout the Irvine community including, Kaiser Permanente, Hoag Hospital, and Irvine’...

Haddad’s Pivot: From Land Sales to Face Mask Donations

Friday, April 03, 2020

Emile Haddad runs California’s largest land development company. Last week, the chief executive of Irvine’s FivePoint and one of Orange County’s most prominent business leaders had another line of work: doing business deals out of the trunk of his car. The product? High-quality and hard-to-find face masks. The 5,000 masks he was buying—one of the smaller deals he was to eventually make over the course of the week—typically run $2 apiece. It’s not typical times, though. Haddad said the negotiated fee was a marked-up price of $6.50 a mask. In the end, the “price doesn’t matter,” he told the Orange County Business Journal, whic...

Federal COVID-19 Leaves: Key Points

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert James Ward discuss key points and guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FCCRA), which takes effect today, April 1. Frank points out that the guidelines and requirements surrounding the FCCRA have been changed recently and can be changed at any moment by the DOL. She recommends that listeners regularly visit the DOL website to ensure they have the most up-to-date information. Listeners also can visit calchamber.com/Coronavirus for updates on federal an...

Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces Four New Board Members

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Irvine Barclay Theatre announced that Orange County executives Carla Furuno, Shaun Skeris, Bob Romney, and Christopher Ramsey were elected to its Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome these respected and accomplished business leaders to the Barclay as we continue to grow our presence in the community," said Irvine Barclay Theatre President Jerry Mandel. “As we approach our 30th season, we are strengthening our community ties and corporate partnerships, expanding our programming and solidifying the Barclay as one of the area’s top arts venues.” Furuno is regional president of BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s Newport Beach office and has more than 3...

Octane Has Released its 2019 Impact Report

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Octane has released its 2019 Impact Report. Orange County has become nationally recognized or creating high-quality ideas, entrepreneurs, and a lifestyle to build sustainable growing businesses. Octane portfolio companies raised a record $337M in 2019, up 57% from 2018. Today, Octane stands at a positive inflection point and is a powerful catalyst to position Southern California for sustained growth of companies, to create high-paying jobs, and to deliver successful financial returns for investors. Additionally, InSoCal, an organization that includes Octane, Connect/SDVG, LAVA, and Alliance for SoCal Innovation, has held multiple events and programs that have pushed innovation further for Southern California, drawing more than 6,000 people from acros...

With $349 Billion in Emergency Small Business Capital Cleared, SBA and Treasury Begin Unprecedented Public-Private Mobilization Effort to Distribute Funds

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Following President Trump’s signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced that the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need. The CARES Act establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. The Program will provide much-needed relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed. Banks will likely be ready to receive and process applications by Friday, April 3, but anyone interested in applyin...

SBDC Offers Free Daily Webinar Series

Monday, March 30, 2020

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is assisting businesses in identifying the best avenue for sustaining the current global health crisis by hosting a series of free, daily webinars. Available to all small businesses, the webinar series will feature information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Payroll Protection Program, Disaster Bridge Loan, 7a Forgiveness Program, and other funding opportunities for businesses. Click here to register for the daily webinars.

California’s Strong Pre COVID-19 Job Growth Better Positions State for Recovery

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Pre Coronavirus: CA Unemployment Rate Maintains its Record Low The latest employment figures released by the California EDD reiterate one piece of good news: California entered the COVID-19 crisis from a strong position. Together with the federal stimulus, and a return to some degree of normalcy within a couple of months, the economic hardship could be somewhat temporary, with consumption deferred to a later period, according to an analysis released jointly by Beacon Economics and the UCR School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. However, there could be longer-term hardship if this unprecedented drawdown in consumption endures into the summer. “W...

2020 Market & Economic Update with Christopher Schwarz

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Tune in for an economic update from Christopher Schwarz of UCI Paul Merage School of Business. Stay informed about the current state of the economy and what to expect as we emerge from the Coronavirus crisis.

Existing SBA Disaster Loans to Automatically Defer Through End of 2020

Monday, March 23, 2020

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through Dec. 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment. “The SBA is looking at every option and taking every action to cut red tape to make it easier for small businesses to stay in business. Automatically deferring existing SBA disaster loans through the end of the year will help borrowers during this unprecedented time,” said Administrator Carranza. “Today’s announcement adds ...

UCI Researchers Will Test Former Ebola Drug as Part of Coronavirus Clinical Trial

Monday, March 23, 2020

Everybody is hoping for a miracle drug to treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the infectious novel coronavirus. Now, researchers at UC Irvine have a shot at helping to find it. As part of a national clinical trial, the Orange County team of medical scientists are authorized to use the anti-viral drug remdesivir — once developed to treat the Ebola virus — on certain COVID-19 patients hospitalized at UCI Medical Center in Orange. The study’s goal, over an unspecified period of time, will be to determine the drug’s effectiveness against a disease that has already killed more than 11,000 people. The research i...

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Monday, March 16, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s designated representative, Director Mark S. Ghilarducci of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services on March 13. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the following California counties: Alameda Alpine Amador Calaveras Contra Costa El Dorado Imperial Kern Lake Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Mono Napa Orange Placer Riverside Sacramento San Bernardino Sa...

City of Irvine’s Pete Carmichael Provides Update on Community Reinvestment at Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Pete Carmichael, director of Community Development for the City of Irvine, during the March Greater Irvine Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee meeting, brought business and community leaders up to date on One Irvine, the city’s community reinvestment initiative, as well as new state policies and legislation impacting the city. Through One Irvine, the city partners with the residents of older Irvine neighborhoods to identify needs, and through a Neighborhood Action Plan developed by the city, to enhance curb appeal and maintain property values. Carmichael also addressed the traffic impact of development and steps the city is taking to address the issue, such a...

Greater Irvine Chamber Members Are Eligible for Rewards for Booking Group Meetings at Irvine Hotels

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Destination Irvine’s Loyalty Pays Off program offers exclusive rewards to Greater Irvine Chamber members that book group meetings in Irvine. Groups booking 10-30 rooms total earn $300 toward their hotel account, groups booking 31-74 rooms total earn $500, and groups booking 75+ rooms earn $750. Participating Irvine hotels include, AC Hotel, Atrium Hotel, Candlewood Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Irvine Airport, Courtyard Irvine Spectrum, DoubleTree by Hilton, Irvine Spectrum, Embassy Suites Irvine, Extended Stay America - Irvine Spectrum, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Irvine, Homewood Suites, John Wayne Airport, Hotel Irvine, Hyatt House, Irvine Marriott, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Irvine Spectrum, Marriot...

Irvine’s Modern Stays and International Culinary Venues Featured in Popular Pacific Northwest Magazine

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Irvine’s modern, recently renovated Hotel Irvine, and one-of-a-kind international shopping and dining center Diamond Jamboree were highlighted in the March 2020 issue of Northwest50Plus magazine. The feature detailed the palm tree-lined pool at Hotel Irvine, which can be enjoyed on the nearly 300 days of warm, sunny Southern California weather, as well as the facilities expansive ballroom and Red Bar lounge. Also included in the feature was Diamond Jamboree’s wide variety of international food options, highlighting the city’s many cultures. “Everyone knows California is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and it's evident in Orange County. One of my favorite ventures wa...

Whit Peterson Promoted to Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs at the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Whit Peterson has been promoted to Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs at the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since joining the Chamber’s professional staff in 2016 as Director of Government Affairs, the scope of Peterson’s work has expanded to include facilitating decision-making incentives and transition benefits to qualified life science companies in their expansion to Irvine, made available through the Chamber’s Irvine Gateway soft-landing transition program. “Whit has proven to be an effective liaison for executives navigating the Irvine business landscape as they consider and plan expansion to our city,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “His knowledge of busines...

Coronavirus: An Economic Look

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Coronavirus continues to dominate the news, raising concerns among individuals and for our economy. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by economist Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D, founding partner of Beacon Economics, to discuss the COVID-19 coronavirus and its possible impact on the economy and businesses. Two Economic Impacts There are two places in our economy where the impact of the virus will be apparent and each one needs to be handled differently, Thornberg tells Frank. First, there is a substantial decline in the demand for travel services and basic tourism. “…Airlines, large hotels...

Greater Irvine Chamber Represents SoCal Region at Pew Charitable Trusts’ Forum

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber was invited to join Pew Charitable Trusts for their 2020 Flood-Prepared Communities forum in Washington, D.C. in February. The Chamber’s Senior Director of Government Affairs and Economic Development Whit Peterson represented the Southern California region as a stakeholder during the three-day event with the Pew’s policy team. The focus of the event was to bring awareness to several pieces of legislation centered around modernizing federal flood insurance, mitigating disasters, prioritizing flood-ready infrastructure, promoting nature-based solutions to mitigate flooding, and addressing repetitive flood-loss properties. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 to provide federally-backed floo...

UK Companies Look to Expand in Irvine

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber economic development team led by the organization’s Executive Vice President Linda DiMario visited London in February for scheduled meetings with expansion-ready U.K. companies looking to grow in the U.S. This visit was an extension of the Chamber-led foreign direct investment initiative underway for the last three years. The goal of this most recent visit was to illustrate to more life science and technology companies that Irvine/Orange County is a smart choice for the expansion of their company into the U.S. “We have signaled to U.K. life-science and technology sectors that Irvine and its innovation ecosystem are seriou...

University Lab Partners, Irvine Company, Greater Irvine Chamber Executives Welcome OC’s First Wet-Lab Incubator

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Celebrating the grand opening of University Lab Partners (ULP), Orange County’s first wet-lab incubator, ULP Founder and President Ken Beall, Irvine Company President Doug Holte, and Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr welcomed guests to the Feb. 27 program at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. “University Lab Partners is an important addition to Irvine’s life science and med-tech startup community; it provides a home for early-stage bioscience and med-tech companies that need an environment where they can work to advance their technology forward,” Starr said. “ULP provides a unique opportunity for small companies in these sectors to successfully scale int...

Hoag Receives Highest Nursing Credential with Prestigious Magnet Recognition

Monday, March 02, 2020

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has again attained Magnet recognition for its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. As part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, this voluntary credentialing program is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice. “Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and is an incredible source of pride for our nurses,” said Robert T. Braithwaite, president and CEO, Hoag. “To earn this prestigious designation for an additional four years underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drives our entire staff to deliver the highest quality of care to this community.” Magnet has become the gold standar...

Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea Delivers State of the City Address

Friday, February 28, 2020

Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea delivered her State of the City Address on Feb. 25 to a capacity crowd in the Irvine City Hall Council Chamber. Topics included sustainability, public safety, fiscal strength, and development at the Orange County Great Park. In her address, Mayor Shea announced that the city received an award for sustainability from the California Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognized Irvine’s organic landscape policy, which reduces the use of synthetic pesticides on city property, and includes the use of goats for weed abatement and fire mitigation. Community members had a chance to learn more about the us...

Innovation Drives Orange County’s World-Renowned Cancer Care and Healthcare

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber Innovation is the key to Orange County’s exceptional healthcare and is what sets our healthcare and its delivery far apart from other parts of the nation and the world. Patients accessing healthcare in Irvine, from routine maintenance to advanced disease treatment, receive top care delivered by some of the world’s most expert practitioners using the latest science and technology. The following are some of the ways Greater Irvine Chamber-partner healthcare institutions are at the leading edge of medical research and patient care in Irvine and Orange County. Cancer Care City of Hope, named the bes...

Canada, California, and the Future of Work

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

By Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada, Northern California We are living in a time of economic upheaval and transformation, largely due to forces of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Dynamics of this new industrial change–such as automation and artificial intelligence, and the rise of the “gig” economy–are dramatically altering how Californians, Canadians and citizens around the world live and work. Many technological developments originate in Silicon Valley, yet governments worldwide and at all levels must grapple with how these developments affect their citizens. As Canada’s Consul General to Northern California, I am fortunate to be able to share Canada’s approach t...

UCI is No. 1 Among MONEY Magazine’s Best Colleges in California

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

MONEY magazine has ranked the University of California, Irvine (UCI) No. 1 on its 2020 list of California’s Best Colleges. The university was also last year named the best college in the nation by MONEY. Colleges evaluated for inclusion on the list were scored on affordability, quality of education, and student outcomes. The youngest university admitted to the Association of American Universities, UCI is a research institution founded in 1965 and is one of 10 campuses in the University of California public university system. The full price of attending UCI for the 2019-2020 school year is an estimated $35,500 for California residents...

UC Irvine Set to Start Construction on $185-Million Health Sciences Complex

Monday, February 24, 2020

UC Irvine will begin construction this month on a state-of-the-art 9-acre health sciences complex for integrative patient care, training, and research. The initial work will be site preparation, with groundbreaking expected later this year, probably in the fall, according to university spokesman Tom Vasich. The site — on the corner of Bison and California avenues adjacent to the UCI Research Park — will include a five-level, 108,200-square-foot building for the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences and an adjoining four-level, 71,500-square-foot building for the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing. The health sciences building will house the Susan Samuel...

Irvine’s Diverse, Modern Cuisine Featured in Popular Travel Blog

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Newlyweds and popular travel bloggers Allie and Bobby Talley of Traveling Newlyweds in a recent post highlighted Irvine as a destination for date nights, detailing the city’s diverse mix of modern dining options. The post outlines date night dining options at Irvine’s one-of-a-kind international shopping center, Diamond Jamboree, including dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan and specialty ice cream shop Somi Somi. “Recently we’ve been hooked on Irvine. It’s a city that can get easily overlooked by its flashy and touristy neighbors — but we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Irvine is on the rise. It’s bursting wit...

Greater Irvine Chamber Brings Home Top Awards from Executive Association

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber was honored with top awards by the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) for its communications accomplishments and portfolio in front of more than 400 attendees during the 2020 W.A.C.E. Conference in Portland, Oregon. The Chamber received the top honor of best Overall Communications Program Award, as well as first place in the E-Newsletter category for its Weekly Connection digital newsletter, and Special Merit in the Website category. Jessica Welch, vice president of operations, Greater Irvine Chamber, was recognized as a recently W.A.C.E. Accredited Chamber Executive for her own professional development, as well as encouraging that of other chambe...

Greater Irvine Chamber EVP Linda DiMario Discusses During Podcast Reasons Irvine is an Ideal Home for Global Companies

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber, spoke to Irvine’s strength and attractiveness as a hub for global companies in a recent episode of Going Global With America’s Best Cities, a podcast of Global Trade Magazine. DiMario, who leads Economic Development initiatives at the Chamber including business attraction and foreign direct investment, discussed the reasons global companies and companies involved in exporting find Irvine the ideal place to do business. “It’s because our companies are working in a very compatible environment in which they can grow and prosper and experiment…without fear of risk. We are a very much 21st-century sector-drive...

Greater Irvine Chamber Members Recognized for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Five Greater Irvine Chamber members are among the nominees for the Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards: The Chamber’s Board of Directors Chair Dan Han, Agapay; Board member Ville Houttu, Vincit; and members at large, John Bradley Jackson, CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship; Mathew Jacobson, Ducere Global Business School; and Greg Krueger, Uplift Transport The Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program recognizes individuals who exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit – individuals who by their creativity and determination have established and nurtured successful business ventures. Award recipients will be formally recognized during the fifth annual 2020 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program o...

UCI Again Receives Most Applications in UC System from State’s High School Seniors

Monday, February 10, 2020

For the second year in a row, the University of California, Irvine is the most popular UC campus for the state’s college-bound high school seniors. A total of 72,391 aspiring in-state freshmen applied to attend UCI this fall, up 2,000 from last year and more than applied to any of the other eight UC undergraduate campuses. Additionally, UCI was the top choice for first-generation college students and those from low-income families and underrepresented groups – also for the second consecutive year. “These outstanding numbers are a testament to our success in advancing our mission,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We exist to provide the bes...

HBLA’s Dov Lazarus, City of Hope’s Nisha Morris Elected to Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors

Sunday, February 09, 2020

Dov Lazarus, CPA, audit partner at HBLA Certified Public Accountants, Inc., and Nisha Morris, associate vice president, Marketing and Communications at City of Hope Orange County, have been elected to serve on the 2020-2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. Lazarus has more than twenty years of accounting and auditing experience, with significant experience serving companies in a variety of industries including importing, manufacturing, distribution, automotive and retail. He has serviced some of the firm’s more significant clients. He previously worked at Price Waterhouse South Africa and Price Waterhouse Australia. Lazarus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant...

City of Hope Partners with Greater Irvine Chamber as First Ever Diamond-Level Leaders Circle Sponsor

Monday, December 30, 2019

City of Hope has renewed its community partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber as the organization’s first ever Leaders Circle diamond-level sponsor. “City of Hope is answering a call to bring our breakthrough discoveries and specialized therapies closer to home, right here in Orange County. We are making tremendous progress, opening our medical office in Newport Beach in early 2020 and the comprehensive cancer campus in the heart of Irvine in 2021. These milestones are testimony to the power of our local partnerships, and our work with the Greater Irvine Chamber has been foundational to our success. Together, we share a visio...

Get REAL ID Ready Before October 2020

Monday, December 09, 2019

Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will officially begin enforcing the REAL ID Act of 2005. This means that a traditional driver’s license will no longer be accepted through airport security and all Americans will be required to present REAL ID-compliant identification to go through airport security and enter federal facilities. Help spread the word: Make sure your family and friends are #REALIDready before Oct. 1, 2020—so they’re not left behind. What Makes a REAL ID Real? REAL ID-compliant cards are generally marked with a star in the upper portion of the card. The style o...

Hoag Promise Campaign Still Going Strong After Hitting $627M Goal 18 Months Early

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Hoag Hospital Foundation has surpassed the $627 million Hoag Promise Campaign goal 18 months ahead of its Dec.31, 2020, target thanks to more than 22,000 donors who made 83,000-plus Hoag Promise Campaign gifts. Hoag will continue raising funds for the Hoag Promise Campaign until its end date in a bid to meet or exceed its ambitious clinical fundraising priorities within the larger Campaign. “Health care will never stop evolving and innovating, and Hoag will never relinquish its vision of providing leading-edge care in all of our service lines,” said Flynn A. Andrizzi, Ph.D., Hoag Hospital Foundation president. “Philanthropy is the key t...

HR Expert Shares Tools for Navigating Coronavirus Impact on Businesses

Monday, March 30, 2020

Tough Times: Real Help Right Now Episode 1 - HR In this series, industry experts in the greater Irvine business community deep dive into real-time, relevant, and essential information for businesses as they react to, respond to, and recover from the current global health crisis. The first episode in the series features human resources expert Brian Montes of Scaleocity Works. Resources: Company Property Policy Template Forgiveable Small Business Loan Information Sheet Sample Furlough Letter Surviving COVID-19 Crisis Presentation

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Irvine #4 in the Top Ten Cities of the Future Overall

The top 10 of fDi’s third biennial ranking of American cities is a wholly North American affair, with all entrants located in Canada or the US. Rebounding somewhat following a turbulent economic period, FDI projects into North America increased 4.55% between 2012 and 2014.