News

Greater Irvine Chamber Advocates Against Proposal for Increased Taxes on Business

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber joins a coalition of influential organizations to reject proposals in Congress to increase taxes on large and small businesses to pay for the massive multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation package. “The Greater Irvine Chamber opposes legislation that would further burden California businesses as they are in the recovery and rebuilding phase following a devastating 18 months of economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “With California’s position as the fifth-largest economy in the world, a healthy business climate in state ensures a stable economy for the nation and the world.” With ...

Genesis Bank Announces Partnership with Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Monday, October 18, 2021

Genesis Bank announced today that it has entered into a partnership agreement with the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (“OCHCC”). The partnership is focused on financial advancement of the Hispanic American community, and includes financial education, assisting low- and moderate-income families, growing small business, internships, and mentorships. Stephen H. Gordon, founding chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with the OCHCC through this important strategic partnership. For over 35 years, the OCHCC has proudly served the Hispanic American business community of Orange County, California, through its broad network of corporate, public, university, nonprofit, an...

Irvine Educators, STEAM Programs Honored During Inaugural Greater Irvine Chamber Distinguished Educators Awards

Friday, October 15, 2021

Irvine educators and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs were honored during the Greater Irvine Chamber Distinguished Educators event sponsored by Chapman University and held at the Hilton Irvine on Oct. 13. “The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates Irvine’s world-class education as part of what helps the city live up to its promise as a model master-planned community. The quality of education in Irvine is a key factor in sustaining economic vitality in the region; it’s what ensures we continue to produce a 21st-century workforce,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “Our world-class schools, colleges, and universities are vita...

California’s Legal Climate Hurting Small Business Owners

Thursday, October 14, 2021

(CalMatters) California small businesses are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, but we shouldn’t be. Every day, more Americans are vaccinated and more businesses are opening up, yet small business owners continue to suffer unnecessary hardship. Across the country, the states that are getting back to normal the quickest are those that prioritized protecting businesses from lawsuits that could put them under, while they were already vulnerable from reduced business during the worst of the pandemic. The leaders of those states know that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and responsible for providing services to local communities while supporting familie...

New Irvine Police Department Chief Michael Kent Sworn In

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Police Chief Michael Kent was sworn in on Oct. 12 as Chief of the Irvine Police Department (IPD). Chief Kent is a 19-year law enforcement veteran who has served the City of Irvine since 2002. He is the first Irvine Police Chief to grow up in Irvine and rise through the ranks from police explorer to Chief. “It is an absolute honor to become Irvine’s Chief of Police. I am grateful for the men and women of the Irvine Police Department who are dedicated to the safety of the Irvine community, for the City’s leadership who consistently make public safety ...

U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Since March 2020

Thursday, October 14, 2021

(Bloomberg) Applications for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest since March 2020, showing employers are hanging onto their workers in a tight labor market. Initial unemployment claims in regular state programs totaled 293,000 in the week ended Oct. 9, a decrease of 36,000 from the prior week, Labor Department data showed Thursday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a slight decrease to 320,000 applications. Continuing claims for state benefits dropped to 2.6 million in the week ended Oct. 2. Claims have marched lower as the economy recovers, boosting demand for labor to keep up wit...

UCI Public Health Launches Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine Program in Public Health has launched the Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research. The center is dedicated to addressing environmental justice through community-based research and promotion of equitable environmental health policies locally and nationally. UCI Public Health professors Jun Wu and Alana M.W. LeBrón will direct the center. Wu serves as a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and has an extensive background in population-based research on environmental exposures and environmental epidemiology, specifically for air pollution, climate change, and environmental justice issues. LeBrón, in addition to serving as an assistant professor in th...

US to Reopen Land Borders in November for Fully Vaccinated

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

(Associated Press) Beleaguered business owners and families separated by COVID-19 restrictions rejoiced Wednesday after the U.S. said it will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze. Travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to workers whose jobs are deemed essential. New rules will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the U.S. regardless of the reason starting in early November when a similar easing of restrictions is set for air travel. By mid-January, even essential travelers seeking to enter the U.S., such as truck drivers, will need to be fully vaccinated. Shoppin...

Thomas Lotts Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021

Friday, October 08, 2021

Thomas Lotts, founder of The Lotts Agency, has been named the September 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month. Lotts became an Ambassador two months after joining the Chamber in 2017. “The Chamber has been an important part of my life for five years,” Lotts said. “Perhaps the most significant benefit has been the ability to help small businesses of greater Irvine by serving as co-chair of the Irvine Business Outreach taskforce for the past three years.” An active Chamber member in various capacities, he serves as chair of a Leads Group, mentor for the Chamber’s Career Edge program. He regularly attend...

Nominations Open for Greater Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 Awards

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Nominations for the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber 40 Under 40 awards are now open! This program recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who are making strides in their industries and the Orange County community. Forty individuals selected from the nominees will be formally recognized during the 40 Under 40 reception held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, 7905 Irvine Center Dr., 5:30 – 8 p.m. Eligible nominees must: Be employed by an active business located or operating in Orange County Be 39 years of age or younger on Dec. 9, 2021 Demonstrate leadership skills and initiative Have demonstrated integrity Application includes a brief description on how the following criteria applies to the individual: What innovative an...

Volunteer Opportunity: Connect with Irvine Businesses During Greater Irvine Chamber’s Outreach Initiative

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Calling Greater Irvine Chamber member volunteers! To remain in touch with Irvine businesses and to learn about their needs, challenges, and goals, the Greater Irvine Chamber is conducting its award-winning annual Irvine Business Outreach on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year the outreach will be conducted in-person and include an online business survey. This opportunity is open to all Chamber members. Volunteering members will meet with representatives from Irvine businesses, discuss issues, and provide information on valuable resources available through the Chamber, and exchange business cards providing a QR code to the online survey. Volunteers can participate i...

City of Irvine Honored with Two Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

The City of Irvine was one of 11 cities to receive Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence from the League of California Cities at its Annual Conference and Expo September 22–24 in Sacramento. Established in 1982, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by California's 482 cities and seeks to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments. Award recipients have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses that have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. The City of Irvine received two awards for its wildfire preparedness efforts — specifically its update...

Kim Mikes Named CEO of Hoag Orthopedic Institute

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of spine and orthopedic care in the nation, has announced the appointment of veteran health care executive Kim Mikes, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, to the position of Chief Executive Officer for the institution. Mikes, who had been serving as acting CEO following the departure of former CEO Jennifer Mitzner in May 2021, was selected after a months-long, nationwide search and review of more than 100 applications for the position. “Kim has an extraordinary depth of clinical and operational knowledge having served not only at HOI since 2016, but in multiple leadership roles i...

UCI Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Platinum Sponsor

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

University of California, Irvine (UCI) has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle platinum-level sponsor. “Sixty years ago, in this place, there were no buildings, no roads, and for all intents and purposes no people. Not a city in sight — just open grazing land on a 90,000 acre, dusty ranch in the San Joaquin foothills. Yet the University of California, acting on behalf of the people of this great state, chose to build a new public research university here. Why? Because it knew the power of such an institution to drive growth and innovation, to spur development and advancement, to provide an environment where business flourishes an...

Irvine: The City of Education

Monday, October 04, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber | Destination Irvine As published in the Orange County Business Journal, October 4, 2021 (Text included below flipbook.) It’s not surprising that Irvine is one of the best places in the nation to receive an education, from K-12 to Ph.D. More than six decades ago, Irvine was master-planned with education in mind. Visionary city leaders knew that prioritizing education would be the key to the city’s long-term economic vitality and quality of life, so they designed the city around a research institution — known today as the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As the cit...

Orange County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Orange County Soccer Club’s Contribution and Commitment to Community

Monday, October 04, 2021

The Orange County Board of Supervisors recognized the Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) with a resolution during its Sept. 28 meeting. Third District Supervisor Don Wagner presented the resolution, recognizing OCSC’s “dedicated service to the Orange County Community.” In the resolution, he highlights the Club’s commitment to providing affordable family entertainment while working to be “a positive, unifying force in the community.” Supervisor Wagner will be on-hand at OCSC’s upcoming Irvine Night match on Wednesday, Oct. 20 to present the resolution to the Club during a special halftime ceremony. “It is a great honor for the club to receive this resolution from the County,” said Jef...

How HR Can Help Build the Organization of the Future

Friday, October 01, 2021

Today’s organizations are faced with increased pressure and faster-paced problems than most have ever encountered. Four of the most pressing issues causing significant adaptation are: COVID: Organizations worldwide are making challenging decisions regarding their workforces every day: should it consider a vaccine mandate? Should it consider a mask mandate? Are its employees safer working from home? What regulations apply? The Great Resignation: In healthcare and tech, employees are resigning at record-high rates. The increase in remote work modality is removing geographical boundaries from the talent pool, increasing competition, and making organizations across the world rethink their recruitment and retention strategy. Supply Chain: I...

COVID-19 In the Workplace – Vaccines on the Horizon

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(CalChamber) COVID-19 continues to dominate discussions around workplace safety in California and across the nation – and big changes for businesses are on the horizon this fall and in early 2022. What is Coming from Washington D.C.? For those of you who missed it – on Sept. 9, President Biden announced a 6-prong plan to fight COVID-19 (available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/). Most important to California’s general business community is the plan’s first prong (“Vaccinating the Unvaccinated”), which pushes COVID-19 vaccines via two mechanisms: – (1) Federal Emergency Regulation: The Occupational Safety and Health Agency (known as OSHA) will publish an emergency regulation compelling a “soft” vaccination mandate fo...

Gaming Co. Bandai Moving Base to Irvine

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) Video game maker Bandai Namco Holdings USA is moving its North American base from Santa Clara to Irvine, and has struck one of the area’s largest office deals of the year for a newly built development in the Spectrum area of the city. The North American branch of the Japanese game maker, best-known for the arcade classic Pac-Man, recently completed a deal to lease the entirety of the Source H2O, a nearly 70,000-square-foot creative office project near the intersection of Sand Canyon Avenue and Waterworks Way. The two-building development was overseen by the Irvine Ranch Water District on ...

Great Park Could be ‘Presented by UCI Health’ Under Sponsorship Deal

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

(Orange County Register) Under a 10-year, multi-million dollar deal, UCI Health could become the Great Park’s top sponsor, giving the medical center a range of branding perks that include featuring its name on the park’s logo beside the words “presented by.” Irvine’s City Council on Sept. 28, will consider approving the sponsorship agreement, under which UCI Health would pay roughly $5.7 million over the next decade with the opportunity for the city to extend the contract for two more five-year terms. The deal would allow the medical center to host and take part in health and wellness initiatives, including seminars and multiple event...

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 16th Year

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Irvine is the Safest City of its size for Part I violent crime, according to FBI data for the calendar year 2020. Information released Sept. 27 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. This is the 16th consecutive year Irvine has had the lowest per capita violent crime rate for its size. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures Part I crime, which includes aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, murder, rape, robbery, and arson. Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan congratulated the Irvine Police Department o...

Irvine Named Best City to Live In for 6th Consecutive Year

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The City of Irvine has been voted Best City to Live in for the sixth consecutive year by The Orange County Register readers. As Irvine commemorates its 50th anniversary this year, it celebrates its history of innovation, unmatched quality of life, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We recognize that what makes Irvine so special isn’t how we have changed, but how we have remained committed to the principles of Irvine’s master plan,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “The vision established 50 years ago has ensured Irvine is a safe city with outstanding schools and higher education institutions, beautiful parks, and a wealth of jobs...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation Wins SBA Award to Support Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Innovation and Technology has named UC Irvine (UCI) Beall Applied Innovation as a winner in this year’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). Winners are chosen based on their proposals for state-of-the-art ideas that inclusively support entrepreneurs researching and developing STEM-related innovations. As one out of 84 winners – spanning 48 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia – Beall Applied Innovation was awarded $50,000 to further advance their work supporting the modern and inclusive American Dream for entrepreneurs. “This award is a tribute to the effort Beall Applied Innovation ha...

Cargo Piles Up as California Ports Jostle Over How to Resolve Delays

Sunday, September 26, 2021

(The Wall Street Journal) Nike Inc. doesn’t have enough sneakers to sell for the holidays. Costco Wholesale Corp. is reimposing limits on paper towel purchases. Prices for artificial Christmas trees have jumped 25% this season. Despite mounting shipping delays and cargo backlogs, the busiest U.S. port complex shuts its gates for hours on most days and remains closed on Sundays. Meanwhile, major ports in Asia and Europe have operated round-the-clock for years. “With the current work schedule you have two big ports operating at 60%-70% of their capacity,” said Uffe Ostergaard, president of the North America region for German boxship operator Hapag-Lloyd A...

City of Hope Honors Transformational Gift with Naming of Building: Belardi Family Pavilion

Friday, September 24, 2021

A gift from financial services executive and entrepreneur Jim Belardi and his wife, Leslie, will provide City of Hope, a world-renowned independent cancer and diabetes research and treatment center, with resources to aggressively advance research into the treatment of blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, which account for nearly 10% of new cancer cases each year in the United States. The critical resources provided by the gift are designed to quickly move bold ideas from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. The gift will support City of Hope’s Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute (HMRI) and will have three areas o...

Wells Fargo Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Wells Fargo has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber gold-level Leaders Circle partner. Wells Fargo has been a member of the Greater Irvine Chamber since 2006. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo & Company is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle-market banking provider in the U.S. Wells Fargo provides a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through four reportable operating segments: consumer banking and lending, commercial banking...

Irvine Startup InBrace Puts New Kind of Braces Behind Teeth

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) John Pham is what some might call a noodler. He noodled in aerospace. He noodled a startup or two. He even noodled at school, dropping out and then returning to earn degrees in engineering, dental surgery, and craniofacial biology. Ultimately, he landed the title of DDS or doctor of dental surgery, something to make his mama proud. “I’ll be the doctor you always wanted,” Pham recalls telling her. Pham’s noodling didn’t stop with his last degree. Instead, he started thinking about ways to reshape the traditional world of orthodonture using old technology with a modern twist. He and business partner Hongsheng Tong...

California’s New Housing Laws: Here’s What to Know

Monday, September 20, 2021

(New York Times) No matter where you live, you’re probably familiar with the exorbitant cost of housing in California. The state’s median home price has crept above $800,000, more than double what it is nationwide. Among the 50 biggest cities in the country, we’re home to the top four most difficult places to afford a mortgage. And half of all Americans experiencing homelessness live in California. Our housing crisis has a seemingly simple solution, according to the laws of supply and demand: Build more housing. But for decades, resistance from suburban homeowners has stalled development as the problem has only gotten worse. On Thursday, th...

UC Irvine to Add $50 Million Health Science Facility, the Campus’s Largest Research Center

Monday, September 20, 2021

(Orange County Register) Adding to a “health sciences district” taking shape on the southwest side of campus, UC Irvine announced it will build a new 200,0000-square-foot facility for collaborative research on cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and other specialties. Called the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building, it will be the largest research building on campus and one of the largest in the western U.S., UCI officials said. It will be funded by a $30 million donation from the Huntington Beach-based foundation of the same name and $20 million in other private contributions. The new facility will offer research lab and teaching spaces wher...

OCTA 405 Widening Project Refi Expected to Save $158 Million

Friday, September 17, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Transportation Authority expects to lop off more than $158 million in interest by resetting its federal loan for the 405 Freeway widening project, savings its officials said will help maintain cost-effective tolls on the new express lanes and get the agency out of debt sooner. The OCTA on Sept. 9, closed on the $629 million loan at a new, lower interest rate of 1.95%, a drop from the 2.91% rate of its original loan, spokeswoman Megan Abba said. The agency has 35 years to pay off the amount, though the refinancing means it likely won’t take tha...

Southern California Adds 68,200 Jobs in August — Fastest Hiring in 4 Months

Friday, September 17, 2021

(Orange County Register) Southern California bosses added 68,200 jobs in August — the biggest hiring spree in four months — despite a resurgent coronavirus. State job figures released Sept. 17, found bosses had 7.36 million employees last month in the four counties covered by the Southern California News Group. This staffing level was up 0.9% in a month and 6.7% in a year, according to a survey of employers in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties. Orange County: 94% of pre-virus jobs — down 92,600 after adding 7,200 last month. Recovery pace? Up 10,500 a month. Unemployment? 6% this month vs. 6.3% previou...

The Great Resignation: 3 Steps To Retain Your Valuable Talent

Friday, September 17, 2021

(ChiefExecutive) “August 6th will be my last day,” my client told me on a break during the live virtual training class I was facilitating for his sales team. Although I was astonished by the timing of this conversation, I was not surprised. More than 7.5 million workers quit their jobs in April and May, up from 4.3 million during the same period the year before. 41% of respondents in a 30,000-person global survey of workers conducted by Microsoft’s Work Trend Index say they are considering leaving their jobs. This is only the beginning of the Great Resignation. Turnover is costly. The Society for Human Resourc...

UCI Health Gastroenterologist Recognized as Innovator of the Year, UCI Vaccine Center Director Honored for Global Impact

Friday, September 17, 2021

Dr. Kenneth Chang, gastroenterologist and executive director of the UCI Health Digestive Health Institute, has been named Orange County Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year. The publication’s special Global Impact award went to UCI’s Philip Felgner, PhD, professor in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physiology & Biophysics and director of UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center. The Innovator of the Year award recognizes Chang’s development of the endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-guided PPG), a tool critical to diagnosing liver health, especially in those with a form of fatty liver disease that can lead to needing a liver transplant. After Chan...

What SB 9 Housing Law Means for Single-Family Zoning in Your Neighborhood

Friday, September 17, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of bills into law this week that effectively put an end to traditional single-family zoning restrictions in most neighborhoods statewide. Senate Bills 9 and 10, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, will make it easier for Californians to build more than one housing unit on properties that for decades have been reserved exclusively for single-family homes and will allow cities greater flexibility to place small apartment complexes in neighborhoods near public transit. Although the laws represent two new approaches toward alleviating the state’s housing crisis, experts say neither is likely to produce the numbe...

Bill Aims to Improve work Conditions for California Warehouse Employees

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

(Orange County Register) A bill that aims to protect California warehouse workers from claims of abusive quota systems has landed on the governor’s desk. Assembly Bill 701, which recently gained approval in the Assembly and Senate, was authored by Assemblywomen Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego. If signed into law, it would be the nation’s first legislation to make companies disclose the productivity requirements and work-speed metrics they set for employees. It would prohibit workers from being fired for failing to meet a quota that interfered with their ability to use the bathroom or take rest breaks, and it would bar employers from disciplining warehous...

Greater Irvine Chamber Partners with OC Supervisor Donald P. Wagner to Host October 6 Job Fair

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

As part of its commitment to workforce development, the Greater Irvine Chamber is partnering with Orange County Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, and other organizations to present a Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Dr., in Irvine. The Job Fair is designed for employers to recruit qualified candidates for paid employment opportunities. There is no cost for employers to participate. Companies must be recruiting to fill at least one paid full-time or part-time position. Employer participation requires registration with the Orange County Workforce Development Board, create an employer account wit...

Irvine and Region Lead North America in Tech Job Growth

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

(Irvine Standard) There is good news to report if you’re a tech professional, recent UC Irvine graduate or a STEM star at an Irvine high school. More tech jobs are gravitating to the region than anywhere in North America, and Irvine is an integral part of that growth. Employers – many from Silicon Valley or other conventional tech hubs – are expanding or relocating here. And they’re bringing thousands of high-paying jobs with them. That’s the bottom line of a recent report from real estate giant CBRE. “There’s a gravitational pull for companies to move here,” says Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tec...

Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel Announces Retirement; Assistant Chief Michael Kent Appointed by Interim City Manager

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Interim City of Irvine Manager Marianna Marysheva announced today the retirement of Irvine Police Department Chief Mike Hamel after 27 years of distinguished service to the Irvine community. Chief Hamel is a 29-year law enforcement veteran who began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department before laterally transferring to Irvine Police Department (IPD) in 1995. His past assignments include Deputy Police Chief, Area Commander, Investigations Lieutenant, Training and Recruitment Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Field Training Officer, Traffic Officer, and SWAT Operator. He has served as IPD’s Chief of Police for six years, a role he approached with thoughtfulness, tenacity, and compassio...

Joe Alvarez Named Greater Irvine Chamber September 2021 Member of the Month

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Joe Alvarez, a cybersecurity specialist at Cybersecurity and Cost Management Group, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Member of the Month for September 2021. Joe’s professional demeanor and approachability make him an asset for the Chamber programs he serves. “Being a part of the Greater Irvine Chamber community has allowed me to form relationships with fellow Chamber members for mutual benefit and success,” said Alvarez, a Chamber member since 2016. “I’ve had the opportunity to enhance the profile of my company by connecting with people I know, like, and trust.” Alvarez is engaged in Chamber activities and groups, including being a member of the Ambassador...

Two-Thirds of Businesses Worldwide are Struggling to Hire

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

(Orange County Register) Businesses around the world want to hire but face a similar dilemma: attracting workers. A survey of nearly 45,000 employers across 43 countries showed 69% of employers reported difficulty filling roles, a 15-year high, according to employment-services provider ManpowerGroup Inc. At the same time, 15 countries — focused in Europe and North America — reported their highest hiring intentions since the survey began in 1962. Businesses across all surveyed countries reported stronger hiring outlooks for the end of this year compared to the final three months of 2020. “Continued talent shortages mean many businesses are prioritizing retaining and training workers wit...

UCI to Welcome Inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy Class

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

The inaugural class of Pharm.D. students at the University of California, Irvine will begin their journey Sept. 24 at a White Coat Ceremony, a rite of passage marking the transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. The white coat is universally recognized as a symbol of the commitment students are making in joining a trusted health profession. “We are thrilled to welcome the first cohort of Pharm.D. students, who are the next generation of pharmacists who will help people live healthier, better lives,” said Jan Hirsch, founding dean of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. “At UCI, we wil...

UCI Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10 Public Universities for Seventh Consecutive Year

Monday, September 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine has been ranked ninth among the nation’s public universities – and 36th overall – on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 list of Best Colleges. This is the seventh consecutive year in which UCI has placed in the top 10. For the second year in a row, the university is ranked No. 2 in the subcategory of social mobility, which takes into account the graduation rate of students awarded Pell Grants. The latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings – now in their 37th year – assesses 1,466 of the country’s bachelor’s degree-granting institution...

Keeping Data Safe During Business Expansion

Sunday, September 12, 2021

When considering expansion to the U.S., it’s essential to prioritize technology and cybersecurity infrastructure and protecting personally identifiable information. Even more important than designing the physical layout while planning office space is determining how potentially sensitive and proprietary data will be stored and accessed. Whether critical data is stored internally or in cloud-based platforms will affect how that information is accessed, reviewed, and used for business functions. The customization and complexity of wireless infrastructure and cloud-based data centers allow various businesses to operate optimally. Medical technology companies characteristically need to factor in regulatory compliance and patient confidentiality associated with accessing data fro...

California Ranks No. 3 for Innovation

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) California ranks No. 3 for innovation when you look at national scorecards for cutting-edge business activity. Southern California News Group business columnist Jonathan Lansen compiled a spreadsheet with an index at the state level using four recent “most innovative” rankings plus longer-term growth in patent filings by state. Here's what he wrote: My tally was relatively simple math — a ranking based on each’s state average grades from innovation benchmarks that weigh everything from idea generation to technology employment to entrepreneurial infrastructure. His calculation indicates that even in the economy-chilling pandemic era, only two states scored higher than California — Massachusetts and Washington state...

Irvine was Perfectly Master-Planned for Distinguished Educators to Thrive

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Irvine was master-planned with education at its core, ensuring Irvine’s long-term economic vitality. Today, numerous public and private post-secondary education and research institutions continue to support that concept. Those with a presence in the city include: California State University, Fullerton Chapman University, Rinker Health Science Campus Concordia University Irvine Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising George Washington University Hancock International College Irvine Adult School Irvine Valley College Pepperdine University Stanbridge University University of California, Irvine University of California, Orange County Academic Center University of LaVerne, Orange County Regional Campus University of Massachusetts, Global Webster University Westcliff University Irvine’s youth are prepared for higher learning at some of the nation’s finest K-12 schools. Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) high schools hav...

Irvine-Based Brandman University is Now UMass Global

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine-based Brandman University, an offshoot of Chapman University, is now UMass Global. Officials Announced the hybrid-style school that offers online and traditional learning will now be part of the University of Massachusetts. The transition to the University of Massachusetts will have “absolutely no interruption” for current Brandman students, who will be able to continue their studies and receive either a Brandman University or UMass Global diploma upon graduation, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa said. The two universities had been in discussions since 2019 on the deal, which Struppa said will help Chapman grow its endowment, a “crucial” part of “ensuring tha...

UCI Study of Traffic Sensors to use City of Irvine Streets

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

(Orange County Register) Several roadways and intersections in Irvine are on the verge of getting a lot smarter thanks to a study of emerging technologies being conducted by the UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering and the city. Twenty-five intersections in the city, including nine on the UCI campus, will be equipped with next-generation traffic sensors designed to collect data in real-time, with the information being used to implement instant adjustments to the flow of traffic, thus improving safety, traffic flow, and energy efficiency, officials said. For example, the advanced sensors will be able to detect the traffic flow and then respond b...

Jorge Mora Named Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Jorge Mora, business development consultant for KTimeHR, has been named the Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September 2021. “The Greater Irvine Chamber has provided me with exceptional networking opportunities, which often lead to mutually beneficial business partnerships. Being a Chamber member enables me to develop meaningful professional and personal relationships with local business leaders,” Mora said. “It’s a pleasure to serve as Chamber Ambassador and to participate in events and programs the Chamber offers its members.” Mora became an Ambassador just months after joining the Chamber in 2019 and now serves as vice-chair for the Ambassadors Committee. In addition t...

35 Reasons Why People Pay the “Orange County Premium” to Live Here

Saturday, September 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) Southern California News Group business columnist Jonathan Lansen shares 35 slices of local life that may explain why 3.2 million people — larger than 20 other states and up 1 million since his arrival to the County 35 years ago — pay the “Orange County premium” to live here. Here's his countdown: 35. Toll roads: For some, the costs of a toll road trip are too high. For others, the concept is bothersome. But it’s hard to imagine local driving, especially in South County, without these additional travel options. 34. Taco giants: Local business wizardry brought Mexican fare to the masses. Few foodies dabble i...

Elon Musk Complains about California, but Tesla has Quietly Leased a Building in San Jose

Saturday, September 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) Tesla has leased a big office building in north San Jose, a deal that widens the list of tech luminaries that have brightened the economy of that part of the Bay Area’s largest city. The electric vehicle maker has leased an office and research building that totals about 75,000 square feet, according to Santa Clara County public records. Google, Apple, Samsung, Cisco and PayPal are among the household names in tech that have significant office or research operations in north San Jose, or that are planning to develop large new sites. Palo Alto-based Tesla, whose largest Bay Area operation is th...

Weak Jobs Report as the Delta Variant Impacts Travel, Tourism

Saturday, September 04, 2021

(Orange County Register) America’s employers added just 235,000 jobs in August, a surprisingly weak gain after two months of robust hiring and the clearest sign to date that the delta variant’s spread has discouraged some people from flying, shopping, and eating out. The August job growth the government reported Friday fell far short of the sizable gains of roughly 1 million in each of the previous two months. The hiring jumps in June and July had followed widespread vaccinations that allowed the economy to fully reopen from pandemic restrictions. Now, with Americans buying fewer plane tickets, reducing hotel stays and filling fewe...

CalChamber Board of Directors Names Jennifer Barrera as Next President and CEO

Friday, September 03, 2021

The California Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Jennifer Barrera as the organization’s next president and CEO, effective October 1, 2021. CalChamber’s Board of Directors voted to appoint Barrera to the leadership role at their Sept. 3 meeting. Barrera will succeed retiring CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, who will remain on the job until the end of 2021. Zaremberg served as CalChamber president and CEO for 23 years. “Jennifer is a proven leader and a powerful voice for California business,” said Donna Lucas, chair of the CalChamber Board of Directors. “Jennifer’s experience, her effectiveness in serving CalChamber members and her dedication to improvin...

U.S. Factory Growth Improves Even as Global Supply Woes Linger

Wednesday, September 01, 2021

(Bloomberg) U.S. manufacturing expanded at a stronger-than-expected pace in August, reflecting faster orders and production growth as well as rising backlogs consistent with global supply chain challenges. The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of factory activity rose to 59.9 from 59.5 in the prior month, according to data released Wednesday. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for the measure to fall to 58.5. U.S. manufacturing gauge rises unexpectedly, though capacity constraints linger While the highest ISM reading for bookings in three months and firmer production highlight sustained demand, the pickup in order backlogs underscores persisten...

Multimillion-Dollar Gifts Create Opportunities for Chapman Faculty and Students to Study U.S. Presidents’ History, Impact

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Multimillion-dollar donations from Emeritus Chairman of the Board Doy B. Henley and James H. and Esther M. Cavanaugh have established a pair of endowed chairs in presidential studies at Chapman University, ensuring the university’s strong commitment to the study and teaching of the U.S. presidency, its history, influence and global impact. The gifts will advance a field of study with lasting significance and contribute to a greater understanding of the American experience, said Jennifer Keene, Ph.D., dean of the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where the chairs are centered. Expanding Presidential Studies “These two endowed chairs are recognition of th...

New Unleash Cheese Restaurant Opens at Boomers in Irvine

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Macaroni and cheese lovers, there's new gourmet macaroni and cheese take-out restaurant, Unleash Cheese, at Boomers Park in Irvine. The restaurant opened in July through APX Operating Company, which also owns and operates Boomers Parks. Unleash Cheese’s menu offers a variety of packed-with-flavor, mouthwatering mac and cheese options, starting with its signature mac and cheese dish. Sizzlin’ Mac n Cheese is the eatery’s spicy dish topped with crispy chicken tenders tossed in Siracha. Memphis Mac n Cheese is loaded with crispy boneless pork ribs tossed in a tangy BBQ sauce and topped with chives. Piggy mac and cheese is loaded with bacon and topped wit...

There’s Something Special About Gyutan Ramen in Irvine

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

(Orange County Register) Food critic Brad Johnson reports on Gyutan Ramen. Here's what he said about the new ramen restaurant in Irvine: The great ramen swarm continues. More than a half dozen additional ramen shops have opened in Orange County in the past six months, and the most impressive of this new crop is Gyutan Ramen in Irvine’s University Center. “Gyutan” is the Japanese term for beef tongue, and that’s the house specialty here — available in limited quantities. The broth for the gyutan ramen is made with a bright, wonderfully aromatic consommé-like beef broth, which is punctuated with a custardy boiled eg...

Irvine Restaurant Porch & Swing Featured in Westways Magazine

Monday, August 30, 2021

The fall 2021 issue of Westways Magazine included a feature of Porch & Swing in Irvine. Here’s what reporter Miles Clement wrote: This Southern-leaning restaurant is a case study of hard-won success. Despite launching at the outset of the lockdowns, Porch & Swing still managed to become one of Orange County’s most lauded new dining rooms. That feat might at first seem improbable. Porch & Swing occupies the bottom corner of an office tower in a palm tree-lined corporate courtyard. The setting is pleasant but sterile, the kind of space that’s barren by dusk. But that same emptiness allows Porch & Swing to tak...

UCI Names New Chief Innovation Officer, Beall Applied Innovation Executive Director

Monday, August 30, 2021

Errol Arkilic, a nationally recognized leader in technology transfer and entrepreneurship, has been named chief innovation officer at University of California, Irvine and executive director for UCI Beall Applied Innovation (BAI). He will start Oct. 1. As chief innovation officer, Arkilic will oversee campus entrepreneurial engagement with community and corporate partners, intellectual property stewardship, a robust licensing and marketing program, and outreach/external relations connected to entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. He will also lead UCI Beall Applied Innovation, a dynamic platform that supports and offers resources to faculty, innovators and entrepreneurs. BAI plays a critical role in building the modern and inclusiv...

City of Hope Uses Genetics to Fight Cancer

Sunday, August 29, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) Tabitha Paccione was 34 years old and in the best shape of her life. So when her cough wouldn’t go away she just thought it was from the usual germs running around the first-grade classroom where she taught in Downey. This was December 2015. Doctors gave her antibiotics but the cough persisted, so bad that sometimes she woke up gagging. Then her voice went hoarse and her back started aching. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that a doctor figured out the problem: Stage-four non-small cell lung cancer. Her prognosis: 3-6 months. “By the time I was diagnosed the cancer was everywhere. Al...

Hoag is Among 11 US Hospitals with Top Ratings for Procedures

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Hoag is one of only 11 hospitals in the nation to receive the top rating of high performing in all 17 procedures and conditions in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals rankings. Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, a general medical and surgical facility, is nationally ranked in five adult specialties and rated high performing in two adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions. The evaluation of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian also includes data from Hoag Hospital Irvine. As part of the Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,000 hospitals for their handling of seven chronic condition...

John Wayne Airport Awarded $1 Million Grant from FAA

Sunday, August 29, 2021

John Wayne Airport (JWA) was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support the implementation of advanced electric power technology, part of JWA’s goal to continually improve airport emissions. The FAA awarded $20.4 million in grants to reduce emissions and improve air quality at airports across the country. The awards will fund zero-emission airport vehicles, including their electric charging infrastructure, and will electrify the ramp equipment used to service planes at the gate. The grant made to Orange County’s JWA will help fund a 35-foot electric shuttle bus and charging station. “Transportation might be the biggest emitte...

Mazda Offers Virtual-First Workspace to its Staff at US Headquarters in Irvine

Sunday, August 29, 2021

(Los Angeles Daily News) The pandemic is cutting another workforce free of its office space. Mazda’s U.S. headquarters in Irvine is switching many of its employees to a “virtual-first workplace.” The automaker has 530 employees in Irvine who’ve mostly been working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, Mazda North American Operations, as it’s known officially, made the flexible work environment a permanent feature for employees in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. “Like many companies, the pandemic has changed our traditional ways of working,” MNAO President and Chief Executive Jeff Guyton said. “There is a strong link between business culture and business results, an...

Irvine Company Leads Nation in ‘Healthy Buildings’

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Irvine Company is the first in the nation to have its workplace communities designated as Verified Healthy Buildings, through a program managed by UL, a global safety science leader recognized for their indoor environmental quality services. Irvine Company has received UL’s Verified Healthy Buildings Mark for over 36 million square feet of office space across its Coastal California portfolio and Chicago. “This verification underscores Irvine Company’s commitment to providing healthy work environments,” said Mike Bennett, senior vice president, Irvine Company Office. “In working with best-in-class providers to provide peace of mind with proven indoor environmental quality, our customers will be able t...

Air Canada to Offer Vancouver Service from JWA in October

Thursday, August 26, 2021

(Orange County Register) Starting in October, daily flights to Vancouver will be available from John Wayne Airport via Air Canada – the latest airline to begin regular service in Orange County. In the past nine months, three other new carriers have launched flights at JWA: Allegiant Air, Spirit, and Sun Country airlines. Those three and Air Canada were given some slots when county officials approved annual passenger allocations in late 2020; Orange County supervisors on Tuesday approved a four-year lease that will allow the Canadian airline to begin service this fall. JWA is uniquely restricted by a legal settlement that caps the numbe...

Officials Spotlight Orange County Mental Health Services, $5 Million Earmarked for OC Be Well campus in Irvine

Thursday, August 26, 2021

(Orange County Register) A group of state and local officials gathered at the Be Well OC mental health services hub in Orange on Aug. 19, to applaud the on-site programs that began operating in January and celebrate an infusion of $5 million in state funds to help build a second campus near the Great Park in Irvine. The early afternoon presentation of oversize mock checks happened even as Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, worked remotely from an empty hearing room at the Capitol in Sacramento, chairing a three-hour virtual meeting that looked at various aspects of both homelessness and mental health services i...

City of Hope Recognized as the Top Hospital of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

City of Hope has been recognized by Los Angeles Business Journal as the 2021 Top Hospital of the Year. “This is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our physicians, scientists, and staff who always put our patients first. We’ve always known City of Hope is a special place and can’t wait for all this capability to be on the ground in OC. Thank you, Los Angeles Business Journal for this honor,” President of City of Hope Orange County Annette Walker, said in a social media post. City of Hope has been delivering outstanding compassionate care for more than a century, combining treatments at th...

Emile Haddad, Founder of Irvine Great Park Developer FivePoint, Leaving CEO Post

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Emile Haddad, the real estate executive who spearheaded the conversion of an old airbase into housing, athletics, and entertainment at Irvine’s Great Park Neighborhoods, is leaving his leadership role at the end of September. FivePoint Holdings announced late Monday, Aug. 23 that Haddad will transition Sept. 30 from day-to-day management of the company he founded to senior adviser. He will also remain on FivePoint’s board of directors and serve as chairman emeritus. FivePoint’s new management team includes Stuart Miller, executive chairman of FivePoint’s long-time partner and homebuilder Lennar; and Lynn Jochim, FivePoint’s chief operating officer, who is being promoted t...

Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Attorneys from Fisher Phillips, one of the country’s preeminent labor and employment law firms representing employers, have been recognized in the 2022 Best Lawyers in America© list. announces the inclusion of 121 attorneys across 17 key practice areas in the 2022 Best Lawyers in America© list, the guide’s 28th edition. The list includes six newly-listed lawyers in the 2022 edition. The Best Lawyers rankings are determined entirely through peer review, from nomination through selection and listed lawyers are evaluated for their talent and skill in the legal industry. Of the firm’s listed lawyers, six have earned the prestigious 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” designation...

Google Offers High School Students Career Certificates

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) Google is partnering with the Anaheim Union High School District to offer students career certificates in data analytics, IT support, and project management, district officials announced Wednesday. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the nation. No prior experience is needed for the students to take Google’s online certification programs, which aim to prepare students for entry-level roles in fields that are projected to grow over the next 10 years. They are created and taught by Google employees. “We feel that these are important, transformative courses that allow a student to have hands-on, applied skills, which are needed i...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Prescribes Safe Disposal of Opioid Medications

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

(Orange County Register) At $1.10 apiece, they might seem like a trivial investment in the crucial fight against opioid abuse. But given what that money buys — a medication disposal kit that can keep potentially dangerous drugs away from people who might misuse them — the spending is anything but trivial. It’s why Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine soon will begin sending medication disposal kits home with patients who are discharged but still have the need for pain drugs. The problem the kits can help solve is huge. The misuse of prescription pain relief drugs accounted for about half of all opioid overdoses nationwide...

UCI Receives $6M Award for Smart Cities and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The HORIBA Institute for Mobility and Connectivity2 (HIMaC2) in the UCI Samueli School of Engineering has been awarded a $6M grant to establish a Public Road Network Platform for the development, evaluation, and deployment of emerging and future connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The grant, awarded by the Vehicle Technology Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will equip 25 intersections at UCI and the adjacent City of Irvine with a next-generation lidar-based traffic sensor and analytics technology in collaboration with the DOE Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), the UCI Institute of Transportation Studies, Velodyne Lidar, Bluecity Technology, Toyota Moto...

Chapman University is Presenting Sponsor for Greater Irvine Chamber’s Inaugural Distinguished Educators Event

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Chapman University, a Greater Irvine Chamber platinum-level Leaders Circle partner, is the presenting sponsor for the Chamber’s inaugural Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m., at the Hilton Irvine, 18800 MacArthur Blvd. “Chapman University is honored to be the presenting sponsor for such an important effort,” said Chapman Provost Norma Bouchard, Ph.D. “Orange County’s rich commitment to education at all levels is indeed both distinctive and admirable. We are grateful to be a part of this tradition at our campus in Orange and our Rinker Health Sciences Campus in Irvine. We look forward to this opportunity to honor some of the outstanding practitioners of educatio...

Veteran Hotelier Nael El Waary Appointed New GM for Atrium Hotel in Irvine

Friday, August 20, 2021

VENQUEST Hotel Group has appointed veteran hotelier Nael El Waary as General Manager for the Atrium Hotel in Irvine. El Waary is a seasoned hotelier who brings 25 years of local and international experience. He has developed an extensive wealth of knowledge and worldwide experience in operations and management. Holding senior positions while working with renowned hotel brands like Hilton USA (San Francisco/ San Jose), Accor Hotels in Dubai, IHG Intercontinental Hotels in North America and the U.K., and The Helmsley Hotels in New York City. “My international management exposure has given me a unique perspective on all aspects of hospitality and I look forward to leading my tea...

In Less Than Two Weeks, Paycheck Protection Program Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal Surpasses Expectations, Accepts More Than 340K Submissions

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Since the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal on Aug. 4, the U.S. Small Business Administration has received more than 340,000 submissions from borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less, highlighting Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman’s priority of rushing relief to the smallest of small businesses and far exceeding expectations. In providing its new, streamlined portal, the SBA is also executing the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of centering equity in all programs. With outstanding debt saddling millions of disadvantaged and underserved small businesses, increasing the rate of forgiveness to PPP borrowers will have an immediate effect in helping the smallest of small businesses recover from the pandemic and access other resources. Prior to this option, businesses that did not apply for forgiveness within 10 months of the end of the covered period were at risk of owing principal and interest payments on their PPP loans. "We are incredibl...

Irvine is the Fastest Growing City in California; Housing, Diversity are Key Factors

Thursday, August 19, 2021

(ABC7) Irvine saw the largest population growth among cities in California with more than 50,000 people. Increasing 45% between 2010 and 2020, the city was also in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau released the results from the 2020 Census in August, showing the slowest national population growth since the 1930s. But in Southern California, the population is growing faster in less urban cities and counties. "It is normal for countries like the United States to experience both booms and then periods of slow growth," said Matt Barreto, a professor of political science and Chican...

UCI-Led Study Finds Disparities in OC Rates of COVID-19 Infection, Mortality

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Socioeconomic, geographic and demographic factors all played critical roles in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality among Orange County residents last year, according to a study led by the University of California, Irvine. The findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, show that some groups were more likely to test positive and die from the virus. Furthermore, risk factors for infection shifted over time. “At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, cases were clustered in the more affluent coastal areas of the county but then shifted to north-central locations, particularly in the cities of Santa An...

Irvine Joins California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

The state and federal governments recently established Round 2 funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The City of Irvine has joined the State of California COVID-19 Rent Relief program for Round 2. The State of California COVID-19 Rent Relief program provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19. Both renters and landlords can apply for assistance. Additional details on the program are available through this link. If you are a first-time applicant, you will be applying through the State of California COVID-19 Rent Relief portal. If you were previously assisted through the City o...

Survey Indicates Employers Change Tactics to Attract New Employees

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

(CalChamber HR Watchdog) Eighty-two percent of employers (surveyed in the U.S. and Canada) say they perceive a talent shortage — many of whom offered signing bonuses to new employees as a short-term fix for this shortage, according to a new Salary.com survey. More specifically, hourly employees received a median signing bonus of $1,000, and salaried employees received a median bonus of $5,000. The survey also reports that 21 percent of companies used retention bonuses — on average, hourly employees received $1,000 after six months of service, while salaried employees received $7,500 after 12 months. Going forward, however, only 20 percent of employers expect to continue offering signin...

Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board Seeks Five New Members

Monday, August 16, 2021

The City of Irvine is seeking applications for five vacancies on the Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board. The board is a public advisory body of the City of Irvine that reports to the Community Services Commission. Its members provide input on the needs of Irvine residents with disabilities. The board is made up of volunteer members who live or work in Irvine. Board members are expected to participate in quarterly meetings, which are held on the first Tuesday of each scheduled month at 6 p.m. at Sweet Shade Ability Center. Applications are available online starting Monday, August 16, at cityofirvine.org/irdab. Complete...

Irvine is OC's First City to Pledge Carbon Neutrality

Sunday, August 15, 2021

(Times OC) With the Irvine City Council’s unanimous approval of an aggressive climate resolution on Tuesday night, the city became the first in Orange County to make a pledge of carbon neutrality. As California begins exploring ways to become carbon neutral by 2035, cities are faced with quickly adopting their own climate action plans to help the state achieve its goal. The Irvine ACHIEVES resolution, which calls for the city to reach a zero-carbon economy by 2030, will guide its climate action plan. In addition to being the first in the county, Irvine is only the third city in the state to se...

Irvine City Council Modifies Name of Orange County Great Park

Friday, August 13, 2021

The Irvine City Council approved a modification to the name of the Orange County Great Park at their meeting July 27. The action will drop “Orange County” from the park’s name, to be more reflective of the ownership of the park and its growing national appeal. “The City of Irvine is a top destination that is home to multiple attractions, including Great Park,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “We are proud of this state-of-the art amenity, which draws internationally-known artists, national sports teams and competitions, and visitors from across the country. The modified name better represents the City where it resides...

Senator Dave Min Presents $14.5 Million Check to Irvine for Jeffrey Open Space Trail Completion

Friday, August 13, 2021

The City of Irvine was presented a $14.5 million check from Senator Dave Min at Cypress Community Center on Aug. 11, for the completion of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail project. Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan and City Council members accepted the check at a presentation attended by State and City officials and members of the Bicycle Club of Irvine. The Jeffrey Open Space Trail, or JOST, currently stretches 3.5 miles through the heart of Irvine. The $14.5 million will support a critical piece of the trail that has yet to be finished: a 1.5-mile extension running from Barranca to I-5. The extension will link existin...

Cox Helps People Connect to the Internet Through Federal Program

Thursday, August 12, 2021

A reliable internet connection can make all the difference by breaking down barriers and giving people the chance to participate in life more fully, even beyond their neighborhoods. That’s why Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program to help people get connected to what matters most. The ECF program is open to students, educational staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. ECF will provide funding to schools and libraries to deliver interne...

OCTA Invests $2.7 million to Clean Orange County Water

Thursday, August 12, 2021

The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week approved nearly $2.7 million to improve water quality in Orange County cities from San Clemente to Stanton. The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the County of Orange for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation. “This is a great way to help protect Orange County’s natural resources while continuing to improve th...

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Presents at the Greater Irvine Chamber, First Time In-Person

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

During its first in-person Government Affairs meeting in more than a year, the Greater Irvine Chamber welcomed Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan to a group of community partners and business leaders on Aug. 5. Mayor Khan provided city updates on the exploration and evaluation of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Community Choice Aggregation (also known as Community Choice Energy), city-wide broadband, and ways the city plans to partner with the Greater Irvine Chamber on economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor was clear in her interest to engage community stakeholders on all of those initiatives. Th...

Bryan Starr Discusses the Legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan in Podcast

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

In a recent radio interview with OC Talk Radio, Bryan Starr, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber and its destination marketing and economic development divisions, discussed the legacy of Irvine’s Master Plan, the city’s many assets, and the Chamber’s role as convener, champion, and catalyst for economic vitality in the greater Irvine area. “Everything comes back to the master plan,” Starr said, referencing Irvine centered around what is now University of California, Irvine. “The initial step, right away, made us a city of innovation, a city of education, that has been perpetuated into the 21st century.” Impact OC Talk Radio...

Carlos Oregon of Thinkbox Technology Group Appointed as Greater Irvine Chamber Board Chair

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Carlos Oregon of Thinkbox Technology Group has been appointed Chair of the Greater Irvine Chamber Board of Directors. He joined the Chamber’s Board in 2016 as member at large and was appointed to the executive committee in 2019. As CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, Oregon led the organization’s expansion to a global market. His wide-ranging international experience includes foreign direct investment, business development, operations, consulting, program/project management, C-level support, and corporate social responsibility. He directs client support teams in California, Washington, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and Europe, supporting enterprise-wide initiatives for HQ expansions, data center buildouts and migrations, VOIP upgrades, next-gen infrastructure deployments, an...

Companies Growing More Cautious About the Delta Variant

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

(CNBC) When earnings season kicked off in earnest in mid-July, few companies fielded questions about or mentioned the Covid delta variant. That changed as new Covid-19 cases spiked and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its stance on masks for vaccinated people, according to a CNBC analysis of earnings call transcripts. Between July 13 and Thursday, 142 companies in the S&P 500 out of the 410 who have reported their quarterly earnings have mentioned the delta variant by name or answered a question about it on their earnings calls. Just 15% of those mentions came before July 27 — the same day that th...

Renovated Great Park Carousel Reopens to Public August 12

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

The City of Irvine is excited to announce the reopening of the Great Park Carousel after undergoing renovations. Improvements to this family-favorite attraction at the Great Park in Irvine include the repainting of 12 animals; replacement of the decking, mirrors, and artwork; re-polished brass; and new coats of polyurethane to keep the carousel in optimal shape for years to come. Members of the public are invited to an official reopening ribbon-cutting event on Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to view the updated Carousel. The renovation project began in 2020, with work performed mostly during pandemic-related closure. Work will continue on the remaining carousel animals...

U.S. Senate Passes Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 10 passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on a broad bipartisan vote of 69-30. This historic bill includes many of President Joe Biden’s economic priorities, including record investments in minority-owned businesses, broadband infrastructure, expanded funding to track and address climate change, while also including the largest-ever federal investments in roads and bridges, clean drinking water, and more. After the Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo released the following statement: “I am deeply thankful for the unwavering commitment of the Republican and Democratic Senators who led the proces...

City of Hope Expands Its SoCal Presence With Acquisition of Cancer-Focused Medical Group, Adding Irvine and Six Other Clinics

Monday, August 09, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, today announced that acclaimed Pacific Shores Medical Group has joined City of Hope. This agreement significantly expands City of Hope’s clinical network and provides thousands of patients in Southern California with increased access to breakthrough discoveries and lifesaving treatments. City of Hope adds seven locations – Glendale, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Torrance, and two in Long Beach – in one of the largest clinical network expansions in its history. With locations across five counties, City of Hope is delivering advanced cancer care closer to where people live — alleviating the burde...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Monday, August 09, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. “Hoag Orthopedic Institute is proud to renew our membership with Greater Irvine Chamber at the Leaders Circle level. As a member since our doors opened in 2010, it’s a privilege to continue connecting with our fellow Irvine organizations in support of the Irvine community,” Hoag Orthopedic Institute Acting CEO, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Kim Mikes said. HOI was recently named in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 Best Hospitals list, ranking in the Top 1% nationally an...

Octane Announces New Leadership for LaunchPad and Enterprise Solutions

Monday, August 09, 2021

Octane, Orange County’s leading accelerator, announced the appointment of three new roles at the organization. Michael Hill has joined as Director of LaunchPad SBDC, Scott Lopez has joined as Director of Capital Markets at Octane Enterprise Solutions, and Dave Beck has transitioned to Vice President at Octane Enterprise Solutions. Michael is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor with a deep passion for helping startup tech companies advance their business models. He has co-founded, scaled and created liquidity for investors at two startup software companies and a professional services business which he ran for 25 years. Prior to leading his own ventures, h...

Small Business Survey Reveals Delays From Domestic, Foreign Suppliers

Monday, August 09, 2021

(Census Bureau) Which U.S. small businesses are being hardest hit by supply chain disruptions during the pandemic and has that changed since earlier this year? The U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), designed to measure how COVID-19 is affecting small businesses, captures the extent of some of these business disruptions. The survey shows that 38.8% of U.S. small business respondents reported domestic supplier delays in the most recent and final week (7/12-7/18) of the SBPS’s Phase 5. That’s up from the 30.9% portion during the last week (4/12 –4/18) of Phase 4. The survey shows that 38.8% of U.S. small business respondents reported domestic supplie...

MemorialCare Requiring All Team Members Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19; Urges Public Vaccinations to Keep Staff, Patients, Families, Communities Safe

Friday, August 06, 2021

Citing its relentless commitment to end the pandemic by slowing the spread of disease, preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, MemorialCare is requiring all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and urged continued widespread vaccinations among the public as well. “MemorialCare has been unwavering in championing vaccinations as the most effective way to end this pandemic that has taken so much from so many,” said Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., President & CEO of MemorialCare that includes 225 community-based health care locations. In making this decision, Arbuckle cites the alarming increases in COVID-19 admissions in recent weeks with well over 90 percent of hospitalized patients bein...

Contributing Over $7 Billion Annually to Orange County, UCI is an Engine of Economic Growth

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

You’ve probably heard about the worldwide impact of University of California, Irvine's scientific research, technological innovations and successful startups. But UCI’s positive impact on our local community – as a wellspring of jobs, entrepreneurial investment, and billions in economic growth – is really something to talk about. Most who live near a typical college or university don’t really feel a deep connection to it. The institution might provide an interesting talking point when you meet new people – but little else. If you live in the city of Irvine, however – or anywhere in the broader Orange County area—the odds are hig...

Boys & Girls Club Central Orange Coast CEO Robert Santana Leads Additional Chapter During its Executive Search

Tuesday, August 03, 2021

Roberta Santana, MBA, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast, will lead an additional local chapter of the national organization. As Consulting CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands-Riverside, Santana will shepherd the chapter while its Board of Directors searches for a permanent CEO. “I am humbled to serve the kids and families of the Inland Empire, Riverside, and the Redlands area,” Santana said. “I’m looking forward to the impact I can make serving this region.” Santana continues to serve as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, impacting the kids an...

Edwards Lifesciences Initiates $100 Million Social Impact Investment Fund to Advance Racial Equity

Tuesday, August 03, 2021

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has established a Social Impact Investment Fund to expand access to capital in underserved communities. The $100 million fund was created as a new portfolio of investments aimed at advancing racial equity through economic development, especially in predominantly Black and underserved communities in the United States. “Events in 2020 prompted reflection on how we could expand Edwards’ active community engagement to provide even more support for our employees and communities, particularly as it relates to social equity and justice,” said Scott Ullem, Edwards’ chief financial officer. “We believe that increasing the availability of capital in underserved areas can contribut...

City of Irvine is Awarded the Prestigious 26th Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement

Monday, August 02, 2021

The City of Irvine’s Financial Management & Strategic Planning Department received the 26th Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) for 2021 from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). This annual program recognizes procurement organizations that embrace innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement. The AEP program encourages the development of excellence as well as continued organizational improvement to earn the award annually. For 2021, there were 179 successful applicants including 63 cities, 40 counties, 36 special districts, 19 school districts, 12 higher-education agencies, seven state or provincial agencies, and two others. “I’m thrilled to see continued excellence in procurement at the City,” sai...

US Manufacturing Expands Again in July, But Pace Slows

Monday, August 02, 2021

(AP News) Growth in U.S. manufacturing slowed for a second straight month in July amid ongoing supply-chain problems. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, on Aug. 2 said that its index of manufacturing activity declined by 1.1 percentage points to a reading of 59.5. The index had also slowed in June, dropping to 60.6 from a reading of 61. in May. Any reading above 50 indicates growth in the manufacturing sector. July was the 14th consecutive month manufacturing has grown after contracting in April 2020 when the coronavirus triggered nationwide business shutdowns. But the July reading showed slower growt...

With Rivian, Lordstown, and Karma in Irvine, So Cal is a New EV Mecca

Monday, August 02, 2021

(Orange County Register) With the click of a mouse, a Karma Automotive technician brings a brand new electric vehicle to life. You sit inside and marvel at the sleek console, the plush seats, the streamlined, jet-age dashboard. Never mind that this new car doesn’t yet exist. Never mind that the driver’s seat you’re sitting on is actually a metal office chair. Thanks to the magic of virtual reality, Karma Automotive’s designers can visualize how a car looks long before they build it. “I can put you inside a car,” said David Hilton, who as Karma’s senior design director oversees work at the EV maker’s desig...

$100M Gift from Irvine Co.'s Bren Powers Caltech Space Electricity Idea

Sunday, August 01, 2021

(Orange County Register) Orange County’s billionaire real estate developer Donald Bren has donated at least $100 million to a Caltech project that aims to generate solar power in space and beam it back to earth. The Southern California News Group reported that in 2013, Bren agreed to a 10-year commitment to Space Solar Power Project at the Pasadena institute. The years-long effort will reach a milestone in the coming months when it launches the first space test of technology that could change how the world creates and distributes electricity. “I have been a student researching the possible applications of space-based solar energy for many years,"...

Dept. of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Commits to $3 Billion Investment in America’s Communities

Sunday, August 01, 2021

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo on July 22 announced that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will implement a series of programs, collectively called Investing in America’s Communities, to equitably invest the $3 billion it received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to help communities across the country build back better. The EDA investment is the largest economic development initiative from the Department of Commerce in decades. Secretary Raimondo will address the White House Briefing Room to further lay out the Biden Administration’s vision for how this historic investment will help every community not only rebuild their loca...

New COVID-19 Safety Measures Amid Rising COCVID-19, Delta Variant Cases

Friday, July 30, 2021

Due to a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, City of Irvine officials are taking steps to further protect the health and well-being of employees and the community. Throughout the pandemic, the City of Irvine has consistently maintained a lower per capita case rate than many other cities, due in large part to the diligent efforts of community members and employees to get vaccinated, wear masks, and follow other health guidelines. However, just like cities across the country, Irvine has experienced a substantial increase in cases since California reopened June 15, going from an average of about 4 new case...

UCI Medical Center Among America’s Best Hospitals for 21 Consecutive Years

Friday, July 30, 2021

For the 21st consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has recognized UCI Medical Center as one of America’s Best Hospitals. The annual rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients and conditions. This year, the report highlights the excellence of UCI Health programs in gynecology, No. 24; and geriatrics, No. 44, among similar programs nationally. The medical center is ranked No. 8 in the Los Angeles metropolitan region. “We are pleased to be recognized once again as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, therapists and support staff reflect the unparalleled level of care only an academic health system can provide.,” sai...

City of Hope Makes US News & World Report's Best Hospitals List for 15th Consecutive Year

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

City of Hope has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list for the 15th consecutive year, placing the hospital among the nation’s leading cancer hospitals. City of Hope is developing a cancer campus of the future and a network of advanced cancer care in Orange County. Its comprehensive cancer center will open in Irvine in 2022 and its Newport Beach location has been providing patients with world-class care since early 2020. Learn more at cityofhope.org/OC City of Hope Orange County is the diamond-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber.

Hoag is the Highest Ranked Hospital in Orange County in U.S. News & World Report's Latest Best Hospitals Rankings

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

For the 5th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Hospitals Rankings named Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County, the fourth-best hospital in the Los Angeles metro area, and ninth-best in California. The rankings also included national rankings in five specialty areas and recognition for Hoag's high performance in all 17 specialty procedures and conditions. After an unprecedented year through the COVID-19 pandemic, 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. "Receiving this prestigious national designation i...

Irvine Leaders to Drop Orange County from Great Park Name

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine will remove the reference to Orange County in the name of its Great Park, the City Council decided on July 27, saying the city should be highlighted for its operating and ownership of the roughly 1,300-acre attraction. The council voted 4-1 to drop the county from the park’s moniker, “in a phased manner that will utilize the least amount of funds spread over the longest time possible,” Councilman Mike Carroll said during a meeting of the Great Park Board of Directors, which Irvine’s council members comprise. Great Park Manager Steve Torelli told the city’s leaders the renaming would com...

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan Named a Top US Mayor to Watch

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

(Route Fifty) Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan has been named one of 10 Top Mayors to Watch in the nation by Route Fifty, a digital publication covering topics related to state and local government leaders. The past year or so has been one of unprecedented challenges and fast-paced problem-solving for local governments, as they've weathered the pandemic and are now moving to recover from it. In the meantime, city leaders have also had to continue grappling with long-standing difficulties surrounding issues like homelessness, affordable housing shortages, and aging infrastructure. Route Fifty regularly covers these topics and is recognizing a group of mayors it deems worth paying special attention to given the innovativ...

Palm Court Arts Complex at the Orange County Great Park Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

The Palm Court Arts Complex at the Orange County Great Park will celebrate its 10th anniversary during a reception for the Great Park Gallery’s summer exhibition, Chuck Jones: Season of Creativity. The Palm Court Arts Complex first opened to the public in 2011, and the community is invited to a special exhibition reception Sunday, August 1 at noon to honor a decade of art, creativity, and community. The Palm Court Arts Complex comprises: historic Hangar 244, a 10,000-square-foot events and gallery space; the Great Park Gallery featuring rotating exhibitions; the Artist Studios, a gathering and programs space; and the Palm Court, wit...

Virus Surge Disrupts Office-Return Plans

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

(New York TImes) Several hospital systems that previously held off making vaccines mandatory for health care workers are now willing to do so. Google employees in California who have voluntarily returned to the office are again wearing masks indoors. Goldman Sachs is considering whether to reinstitute testing for fully vaccinated employees in the company’s New York City offices, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because nothing had been decided. And on Monday, Apple told its work force that it would push back its return-to-office date from September to October. When companies began announcing tentative return-to-office plans this spring, there wa...

Hoag Orthopedic Institute Named Among Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), one of the largest providers of orthopedic care in the nation, has been nationally ranked in the top 30 best orthopedic hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s “2021-2022 Best Hospitals” list. HOI’s ranking rose to number 27 in the nation from number 35 the previous year. In addition to this distinction, U.S. News has also recognized HOI as “High Performing” in Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, and Knee Replacement for 2021-2022. “HOI is honored to once again be included in U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals list,” said acting HOI CEO Ki...

Hoag Receives $3 Million for Expansion from Iacocca Family Foundation

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

(Newport Beach Independent) Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has received a $3 million gift from the Iacocca Family Foundation that will expand and enhance a program for type 1 diabetes at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center. In appreciation of the generous gift, Hoag is naming the Mary & Lee Iacocca Program in Type 1 Diabetes to honor the Iacocca Family Foundation’s mission to fund innovative and promising diabetes research that will lead to a cure for the disease and alleviate its complications. Lee Iacocca established the Iacocca Family Foundation in 1984 in honor of his late wife, Mary K. Iacocca, who died fro...

Business Travel Stirs, But Many Road Warriors Stay Grounded

Monday, July 26, 2021

(AP News) Of the 2 million people clogging airport security lines and gate areas again each day, one crowd is still largely missing: business travelers. Their absence is noteworthy because they are a key source of revenue and profit, underpinning a record-breaking stretch of financial gain for U.S. airlines that ended with the coronavirus. Business travelers tend to pay higher fares, and that is especially true on international flights, which are also still deeply depressed by the pandemic and travel restrictions around the globe. Because their fares subsidize other passengers, their absence is leading to higher leisure fares on many routes, experts say. Busines...

Irvine's Karma Automotive and Rivian Build EVs for Businesses

Monday, July 26, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) With a price approaching $150,000, Karma Automotive LLC’s hybrid electric vehicle, the Revero GT, is a sports car you drive for show. It’s one reason the automaker bumped the model up to halo status, making room for its more affordable GS-6 luxury line. Another nod toward pragmatism: a new fleet business, with modestly priced, light-duty electric vehicles that company statemnets indicate start in the $15,000 range. That partnership, with Ayro Inc. (Nasdaq: AYRO) of Texas, could be the one that provides some much-needed dough for the Irvine firm. Karma this month revealed a first look at the light-duty vehicles, dubbed Club Car Current. They ar...

Rethinking OC’s Office Scene to Attract, Keep Talent

Monday, July 26, 2021

(Orange County Business Journal) For over a year, Orange County employers have sought to refigure the use of their office space to adjust to an ever-changing “new normal.” Now, with a majority of local adults fully vaccinated and the state open for business, those employers have a clearer idea of what the post-pandemic office looks like. Hint: Plexiglas and walkway signage doesn’t play as large of a role as many initially thought. “All of the thoughts we had a year ago have changed. We were in the middle of a crisis, and now we can see beyond the crisis,” said Greg May, executive vice presiden...

UCI Beall Applied Innovation is Helping Make Irvine a Growing Startup Hub

Monday, July 26, 2021

An award-winning innovator who started an agricultural technology company. A University of California, Irvine alumnus who founded a medical device company. A UCI professor who’s producing rapid tests for COVID-19 and other diseases. Their backgrounds are as different as their companies, but they all launched their ventures at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. The City of Irvine recently landed on WalletHub’s list of the best big cities in which to start a business and was ranked first for access to related resources. That’s no accident. Irvine’s success is part of a concerted effort that kicked into high gear in 2014 when Applied Innovation opene...

Ailene Dewar Named Greater Irvine Chamber July 2021 Ambassador of the Month

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Ailene Dewar, CBPA, aPHR, vice president of sales, California, Engage PEO, has been selected as the July 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Ambassador of the Month for her high level of engagement in Chamber events and committees. A Greater Irvine Chamber member since 2016 and Ambassador since 2018, Dewar currently serves as chair of the Ambassadors Committee. Dewar regularly serves as an Ambassador at Chamber signature events, including Business Outlook and Women of Influence and New Member Orientations. She is active at After Hours and Evening Business Exchange Mixers and Networkers Luncheons. She has assisted in the Chamber’s award-winning Business Outreach Rally progra...

Luncheon for UK Trade Secretary Provides Opportunity to Reiterate Shared Goals

Friday, July 23, 2021

(CalChamber) Technology, agriculture and the California and British economies were among the topics discussed when the California Chamber of Commerce hosted a small luncheon for Britain’s trade secretary on July 14. The Sacramento stop by the Right Honorable Elizabeth Truss, member of Parliament, was part of a five-day visit to the United States. The CalChamber luncheon included Secretary Truss; the Honorable Joe White, British Tech Envoy and Consul General in San Francisco; and James Crean, Head of Trade Policy at the British Consulate General San Francisco. (From left) CalChamber Board member Rick Fowler, U.K. Secretary Elizabeth Truss, Consul General Joe White, CalChamber Vice Presiden...

Irvine Ranch Landmarks Reopen Wilderness Access Days

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(Times OC) Nature lovers can now return to the natural landmarks of Irvine Ranch with Wilderness Access Days, which had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy, along with OC Parks and the city of Irvine, reopened the free public events last weekend with a public hike in Black Star Canyon. “Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, volunteers and partners are excited to welcome visitors back to experience the beauty of the Landmarks,” Dave Raetz, the conservancy’s vice president and chief operating officer, said in a press release. “Throughout the pandemic, IRC staff and landowners worked diligently to restore and preserv...

Travel Industry Poised to Boost California’s Recovery

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

(CalChamber) Summer is traditionally the most popular time for travel in California and with vaccination counts climbing and restrictions being lifted, 2021’s summer travel season is well underway. The state’s official re-opening June 15 kicked California’s economic recovery into high gear with restaurants, hotels, and attractions able to operate without imposed limits. From restaurants to resorts and theme parks to wineries, California’s tourism industry is beginning to witness a much-needed increase in activity and some pent-up demand for travel across the state. Statewide, hotels saw occupancy exceed 70% in June for the first time since March 2020. With virtually no restrictions remaining, California’...

UCI Team Readies Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Prototype for Human Trials

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Scientists with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute have designed a promising vaccine prototype aimed at preventing all coronavirus strains and variants, not just the one that causes COVID-19. The research team — led by Lbachir BenMohamed, Ph.D., director of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology and professor with the eye institute — hopes to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of the prototype’s safety by early 2022. “If this universal vaccine performs as we expect, it could prevent the spread of future coronaviruses by humans and animals,” said BenMohamed, a vaccinologist and immunologist who trained at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. “It would b...

Waste Management Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Gold-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Waste Management has renewed as a gold-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. A Chamber member since 1979, Waste Management is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management, offering services such as garbage collection and disposal, recycling, and dumpster rental. Waste Management has been listed on the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for North America and the World. This distinction marks a recognition of the company’s corporate sustainability leadership within the industry. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on ho...

Irvine, Orange County Among Best Places To Live In US Reports Say

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Patch) Irvine is among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a recent report from Niche. The towns on the list are known in general for their low crime rates, proximity to good jobs, and strong school systems. Niche—that connects people to their future schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces—analyzes and ranks factors such as livability, crime rates, the housing market and trends, schools, employment, and access to other amenities and resources. Rankings are based on city data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Irvine is #11 on the list...

No Evidence of a California Exodus, UC Study Finds

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

(Orange County Register) Despite California losing a congressional seat for the first time in history due to slow population growth and some high-profile technology companies and billionaires leaving the state, there is no evidence of an abnormal increase in residents planning to move out of the state, according to a University of California survey released July 7. The research, which included UCLA, is part of a larger, multi-institution research consortium led by UC to assess whether there is in fact a “California exodus,” and to help inform state policy and public knowledge by focusing on state population patterns. Formed in fall 2020, th...

OCTA Renews its Leaders Circle Partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has renewed as a silver-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Since its formation in 1991, OCTA has kept residents and commuters moving throughout the 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County. OCTA’s responsibilities, programs and services impact every aspect of transportation within the state’s third largest county. A member of the Chamber since 2016, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on our local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs. Leaders Circl...

Distinguished Scholar Jon Gould Named Dean of UCI’s School of Social Ecology

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Jon Gould, a distinguished scholar in justice policy, social change and government reform who has held key positions in the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Science Foundation, will become the new dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, following a nationwide search. He will assume the post on Jan. 1, 2022. At UCI, Gould will lead the nation’s first school of social ecology, established in 1970 in response to high demand for more socially relevant research. For over 50 years, the school has been an internationally recognized pioneer in developing interdisciplinary approaches t...

Irvine officials Discuss Renaming Orange County Great Park to include City Name

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Orange County Great Park has sports fields, ice rinks and other facilities used by athletes from around the county and beyond, and plans are in the works to add other regional attractions including a water park, children’s museum and Marine Corps aviation museum. But the park’s roughly 1,300 acres lie within Irvine city limits, and the city funds and operates the park. So what’s in a name? Irvine city leaders planned to discuss renaming the recreation mecca as the Irvine Great Park during a July 13 City Council meeting. “I think we’ve been working very hard on branding Irvine and really highlightin...

New Chamber Program to Honor Distinguished Educators, Nominations Open Now

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates Irvine’s world-class education as part of what helps the city live up to its promise as a model master-planned community and its ability to sustain economic vitality by ensuring a continued skilled workforce. Through its inaugural Distinguished Educators program, the Chamber will recognize exemplary Irvine educators who have contributed to the educational process through direct student involvement or partnership activities. Outstanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs offered in Irvine will also be recognized. Nominations and self-nominations are open through Sept. 3, 2021. NOMINATE HERE Honorees will be announced at the Distinguished Educators event on Wednesday...

Destination Irvine Finishes Fiscal Year Strong

Monday, July 12, 2021

Destination Irvine (DI) saw a measurable increase in the number of leads sent and room nights booked for future group business during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. Between April and June, the DI sales team sent 101 leads and booked 3,208 room nights worth nearly $750,500 in economic impact. Two major sporting events booked for the new fiscal year include Curling Night in America, scheduled for August 2021, and USA Synchro Championships in April 2022. Combined economic impact worth is estimated to be $290,000. “As soon as the state reopened on June 15, we received 17 leads for future busines...

Chapman University to Transform Old Packing House into New Dance Center with $5M Grant

Friday, July 09, 2021

(Orange County Register) A $5 million grant from one of Chapman University’s most generous donors will allow the university to transform the 100-year old Villa Park Orchards Association Packing House into the Sandi Simon Center for Dance, a 33,000 square foot complex which will serve Chapman’s 150 dance majors and host performances for the community. Located at 350 N. Cypress St. in Orange, the center is scheduled to be completed by next summer and be in use for the fall 2022 semester. The $5 million was donated by philanthropists Ron and Sandi Simon, who have gifted millions to the university over the years throug...

UCI's Joyce Yu-Chia Lee is the First Faculty Member to Earn Prestigious American College of Clinical Pharmacy Award

Friday, July 09, 2021

Joyce Yu-Chia Lee, clinical professor of health sciences at the University of California, Irvine, has received the 2021 Clinical Practice Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. An advanced practice pharmacist, Lee is a founding faculty member of UCI’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the first to earn the prestigious recognition. ACCP is a professional and scientific society with more than 15,000 members from over 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy. Each year, the award is given to one member who has developed an innovative clinical pharmacy service, provided innovative documentation of the impact of clinica...

Greater Irvine Chamber 2021-2022 Board Slate Includes Three New Members and Incoming Chair

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber installed its new 2021-2022 Board of Directors during a July meeting held at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, kicking off the fiscal year term. The new slate includes incoming Board Chair Carlos Oregon, president/CEO of Thinkbox Technology Group, who is assuming the gavel following outgoing Chair Jeff Davis, vice president, Entitlement, Irvine Company. Three executives from Orange County organizations have been appointed to the board: Wendy Aid, Director of sales, Cox Business With more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Wendy Aid is a results-driven leader with the proven ability to develop and lead sales teams to excee...

Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups Smash Previous Annual Records with $60.5 Million in Closed Business Referrals Despite Pandemic Distancing

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

Proving once again the power of the Greater Irvine Chamber Leads Groups, members have broken all previous records by a wide margin with $60,558,908 in closed business referrals during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, compared to $22,247,720 earned in FY 2019-2020. More than 1852 leads were exchanged. This achievement is even more impressive because the six groups convened through Zoom for the entire period to solve social distancing during the pandemic. “The Chamber’s Leads Groups convene professionals across industries to grow clientele opportunities. Through group participation, members foster trusted professional relationships and identify and refer qualified opportunities,” said Bryan Starr, president an...

MemorialCare, Greater Newport Physicians Recognized as Top California Medical Groups

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

SCAN Health Plan®, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, has announced the top 15 performing medical groups in its California provider network. Making the list are MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians, based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics for preventive screenings, treatment of chronic conditions and appropriate documentation to ensure members get the care they need to remain healthy and independent. The medical groups recognized are the top 15 performers for care and service based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics. MemorialCare and Greater Newport Physicians are Leaders Circle partners of the Greater Irvine Chamber, at the platinum and silver levels, respectively.

Chevron Renews as Greater Irvine Chamber Bronze-Level Leaders Circle Partner

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Chevron has renewed as a bronze-level Leaders Circle partner of the Greater Irvine Chamber. Established as the Pacific Coast Oil Co. in 1879, today Chevron is a leading energy provider worldwide. Chevron’s success is driven by its people and their commitment to get results the right way — by operating responsibly, executing with excellence, applying innovative technologies, and capturing new opportunities for profitable growth. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive role in supporting the region’s business community at the highest level. For information on how to become a part of this elite Leaders Circle group...

Courtney Nakagawa Joins Greater Irvine Chamber Professional Staff

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Courtney Nakagawa has joined the Greater Irvine Chamber professional staff as Program Manager. In this role, she will manage chamber events. Nakagawa brings to the role 18 years of restaurant industry experience with a focus on private dining event management at upscale establishments, including Morton’s The Steakhouse and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. An active Chamber member since 2018, she participated in the Leads Groups program, served on the Women of Influence planning committee for two years, and has a well-established network in the community. Nakagawa earned a B.A. in deaf studies from California State University, Northridge, and is fluent in American Sig...

Irvine is the Best City for an Active Lifestyle

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

The cities that provide the necessary infrastructure as well as integrate nature into the built environment can better support our adoption of healthy and active lifestyles. In that regard, Irvine came out as the best city for leading an active lifestyle. In order to identify the best places in the US for active lifestyles, STORAGECafé compared the 100 largest cities based on a weighted index of 18 key indicators such as venues for exercising, walkability, bike-friendliness and natural conditions. Here are some of our key findings: Irvine ranks as the best city for the composite score of outdoor livability among the 100 larges...

Wild Rivers Water Park Groundbreaking July 7 at the Orange County Great Park

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Construction on the Wild Rivers Water Park at the Orange County Great Park will begin July 7. In April 2020, the Irvine City Council approved a location and lease for the water park. In November, the Irvine Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the conditional use permit for the 20-acre project at the southeast corner of Great Park Blvd. and Skyhawk. Wild River’s plans include multiple components including in-ground slides, pools, and thrill slides. As currently proposed, there will be 20 attractions available on opening day, with additional attractions planned for the future, including a potential 3-acre expansion. “I’m beyond thrilled to brin...

Orange County Officials Support Veterans Cemetery on County Land

Monday, July 05, 2021

(Orange County Register) A number of Orange County officials and military veterans have come together to support building a veterans cemetery on county land in Anaheim Hills, and some of them gathered at the Gypsum Canyon site on July 1, to demonstrate their commitment. Dozens of veterans, many wearing caps naming a branch of the service or vets organization, filled the seats under a shade tent with a backdrop of brush-covered hills south of the 91 freeway and just east of the 241 toll road. “We have been supporting this site for a veterans cemetery for years now,” OC Supervisor Don Wagner said. “We are o...

In One Chart: GDP Growth by State as COVID Recovery Takes Hold

Thursday, July 01, 2021

(MarketWatch) The U.S. economy expanded 6.4% on an annualized basis in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said last month, as American businesses reopened and people got back to work after being largely locked down throughout 2020. But as with all economic data, the national headline number masks a lot of local discrepancies. The chart below, from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, released in late June, shows how much growth varies among the different states. California is somewhere in the middle with 6.3% increase in GDP. Nevada, heavily dependent on indoor tourist traffic, saw the biggest uptick in growth among all states in the firs...

Irvine Company Seeks Brand-Name Chain to Reopen Two Closed Hotels

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) The Irvine Company’s two shuttered hotels in Orange County will reopen after the company finds a new operator for its properties that cater primarily to corporate travelers and business events. The property giant said it is seeking a “world-class” brand-name operator to lease and run what’s currently the 536-room Hotel Irvine and the 295-room Fashion Island Hotel. The company will continue to own and operate its other hotel property, the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, which remained open throughout the pandemic. The two business hotels were closed by Irvine Co. in the spring of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic throttle...

Marines Air Museum Could Land at OC Great Park in Irvine

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

(Orange County Register) After more than 20 years in another location, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum may be coming in for a landing near its original home in Irvine. The museum honoring the Marines’ aviation history was created in 1989 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. When the base closed 10 years later, the museum was moved about 100 miles south to MCAS Miramar, said Mike Aguilar, a retired Marine brigadier general and the executive director of the museum’s nonprofit foundation. The planes and other artifacts displayed at the museum are owned by the Marine Corps, which closed the San Diego-area museu...

The Travel & Tourism Industry Plays a Critical Role in Restoring the Economy

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President & CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Orange County Business Journal, June 29, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic caused global economic hardship with the travel industry being the hardest hit, even more so than it was during the Great Recession. Prior to the pandemic, travel spending in Irvine contributed nearly $781 million to the city’s economy, supporting nearly 6,000 jobs, and generating nearly $50 million in state and local tax revenue. In 2020 there was a nearly 57% decline in travel spending and a loss of approximately 1,570 jobs, proving just how important the economic impact o...

City of Hope-Led Research Identifies How the Most Common Type of Breast Cancer Becomes Resistant to Treatment

Thursday, June 24, 2021

City of Hope, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center, has identified how cancer cells in patients with early-stage breast cancer change and become resistant to hormone or combination therapies, according to a new study published in Nature Cancer. About 80% of breast cancer cases are hormone receptor positive, meaning that these cancer cells need estrogen or progesterone to grow, according to the American Cancer Society. Doctors currently treat people with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer using therapy that inhibits both estrogen levels and cell cycle activity. While these therapies often initially shrink tumors, about 90% of metastatic patients an...

Diamond Jamboree Renews as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle Partner

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Diamond Jamboree has renewed as a Greater Irvine Chamber Leaders Circle bronze-level partner. Diamond Jamboree has been a Chamber member since 2006. Diamond Jamboree is a vibrant, eclectic retail center conveniently located at Alton Pkwy. and Jamboree Rd., where Irvine business and residential communities meet. Featuring a range of services and dining destinations to please every palate, the center is representative of its diverse community. A unique Southern California destination that brings together a variety of cuisines and international flavors—Diamond Jamboree brings you the world. Leaders Circle members of the Greater Irvine Chamber are among the most influential companies and organizations in Irvine and Orange County. They take a proactive rol...

Hoag at Home Launches Hospice and Home Visiting Physician Services to Orange County

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today the launch of Hoag at Home, a comprehensive home care service offering that provides patients with the high-quality personalized care they need in the comfort of their home. Hoag at Home represents an evolution in Hoag’s commitment to the community and a recognition of the changing demographics of the county. This new service allows Hoag to extend the world-class care that is delivered in Hoag hospitals, physician offices, and health centers right to a patient’s place of residence. “People are living and staying mobile longer, and there are more ways to allow people to age i...

Irvine: California’s Best City to Start A Business

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

By Bryan Starr, as featured in the June 2021 Irvine Standard. Irvine has always been a great place to start a business. A study by WalletHub, a national financial resource website, just confirmed it’s the best place in California to launch an entrepreneurial dream. It makes sense. The survey found Irvine has the most educated workforce in the nation. More than 72% hold a bachelor’s degree while 32% hold a master’s degree or higher, No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation, respectively. The city – through its Master Plan – has also fostered the most dynamic, active and healthy business climates I’ve seen. One-third o...

Masks in Daily California Life, Workplace

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

California has now changed its mask requirements to match CDC guidance. Masks in daily life Vaccinated people do not need to wear masks, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone: Public transit Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities) Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings State and local correctional facilities and detention centers Homeless shelters,emergency shelters, and cooling centers Unvaccinated people are required to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses, like: Retail Restaurants Theaters Family entertainment centers Meetings State and local government offices that serve the public See CDPH’s Face Coverings Q&A to learn more about where masks are still required or recommended. Read Get the Most out of Masking to learn how a mas...

UC Irvine Physicist Among Researchers Seeking to Bring Lithium-Ion Batteries to EV Market

Monday, June 21, 2021

(Orange County Register) To curb global warming, policymakers say, we need to switch from gas-powered cars to driving clean, non-polluting electric vehicles. Major automakers plan to make that happen, promising a full line of electric vehicles by 2030. But there’s just one little speed bump on the road to electrification: We don’t have the capacity to make enough batteries for all those plug-ins. Electric vehicle sales will jump four-fold in the U.S. in the next five years, climbing from 1.8% of all car sales in 2020 to about 7% in 2026, according to market research firm AutoPacific of Tustin. The U.S. Department o...

City Council Welcome Back Youth Sports Tournament Play to Irvine

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

City of Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan, Councilmember Anthony Kuo, and Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel Bill Barber Park Saturday were on hand to welcome back youth sports tournament play during a recent Summertime Classic girls softball tournament game held at the Mark Daily Athletic Field in Irvine. Hosted by the Irvine Girls Softball Association, teams from throughout Southern California participated. As of June 15, there are no longer restrictions regarding sporting events at all levels, from youth to professional play, for any City of Irvine facility. California has removed executive orders regarding the Blueprint for a Safer Economy related to sports at all levels an...

Welcome Back, We're Open!

Monday, June 14, 2021

After nearly a year and a half of meetings and events held digitally and staff working remotely, the Greater Irvine Chamber has fully reopened for in-person business as of June 15. In compliance with Cal/OSHA guidelines, masks are required for the duration of indoor visits. On the heels of its Celebrate Irvine event, held in a hybrid format — in-person and live-streamed on June 9 —the Chamber is resuming full-capacity, in-person gatherings from networking events, Leads Groups, and committee meetings to signature events. Join the Greater Irvine Chamber for its, first since more than a year ago, full-capacity in-person Evening Business Exchange networking even...

Meet Frontline Community Heroes Honored During In-Person and Live-Streamed Celebrate Irvine

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

During its 2021 Celebrate Irvine event, the Greater Irvine Chamber honored some of the community's frontline heroes who have performed above and beyond their normal work duties to serve the community's greater good. Meet the 2021 Celebrate Irvine honorees: Andrea Billeb - Office Administrator and Human Resources Manager, Jackson Tidus City of Hope Newport Beach Physicians & Staff Jacqueline Deats - Director of Student Health Services, Chapman University Jan Gameroz, MSN, RN - Manager of Oncology Administration Services and Community Relations, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Hoag Pharmacy Team Dr. Susan Huang - Medical Director, Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UCI Health Michelle Laabs - Nurse Practitioner an...

The City of Irvine’s Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 42nd Consecutive Year

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

The City of Irvine’s Financial Management & Strategic Planning Department received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. “The City of Irvine is proud to receive this distinction for the 42nd consecutive year,” said Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “This ranking confirms City staff remain committe...

Latest Chao Family Gift Will Name Cancer Center at New UCI Medical Center in Irvine

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

With its current gift, longtime UCI Health benefactor the Chao family has committed $50 million since 1995 to UCI Health toward advancing cancer care in Orange County and beyond. The family’s latest gift will name the cancer center at the new UCI Medical Center in Irvine, expanding access to leading-edge cancer treatments and therapies, promising clinical trials, and world-class cancer care driven by the latest in precision medicine. “Few families have been as generous in support of their fellow residents of Orange County as the Chao family,” said UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This latest extraordinary gift is testament to their belief i...

City of Irvine Ranked 7th in National 2021 ParkScore Index

Friday, May 28, 2021

The City of Irvine park system has been ranked 7th in the nation by the Trust for Public Land in their annual ParkScore Index, which ranks the nation’s 100 largest cities based on factors including park access, acreage, investment, and amenities. Irvine is the second-ranked city in California, and this is the sixth consecutive year the City’s parks have ranked in the top 10 nationally. Irvine earned a perfect score in parkland percent of city area, the number of basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, and the number of recreation/senior centers per 20,000 residents. The index also notes that 89% of Irvin...

Multi-Year Conserve Irvine Campaign Engages Community

Friday, May 28, 2021

As part of the City of Irvine’s Earth Day efforts, the City unveiled the Conserve Irvine campaign, a multi-year endeavor to improve resilience and sustainability of the community. The Conserve Irvine campaign focuses on the key pillars of environmental protection that residents and businesses can take action on — waste reduction, energy, water conservation, and alternative transportation choices. Through events and additional resources that raise awareness, the campaign will also promote making environmentally friendly actions, like reducing plastic consumption, composting, and implementing drought-tolerant landscaping, part of an everyday sustainable lifestyle. The Irvine community promotes sustainability through numerous projects, events, and campaigns throughout th...

At 50, the City of Irvine is Evergreen

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The City of Irvine’s 50th anniversary is a significant milestone celebration for our community. Together, we have achieved so much so quickly. Irvine is the safest large city in America, we have the top-performing school system in California, one of the strongest jobs centers in America, and the state’s best parks system. Yet perhaps our most inspiring accomplishment has been creating one of America’s greenest cities. Today, owing to 50 years of careful planning and ambitious environmental stewardship, Irvine residents are, on average, just 76 steps from a neighborhood park — and need to travel less than 20 minutes to enjo...

The Case for California: Why Stories About the Golden State’s Demise Are Overblown

Friday, April 30, 2021

(Forbes) Paying $3,150 a month for a one-bedroom apartment is absurd — unless you’re living in San Francisco. For computer engineer David Berrios and his wife, it was worth it to live in this 49-square-mile technology paradise by the Bay. From their perch near Mount Olympus in the Corona Heights neighborhood, they could stroll down the hill to Haight-Ashbury or walk to a favorite jiu jitsu studio — or anywhere else in the city, for that matter. That changed a year ago, when San Francisco became the first major city in the country to lock down in the pandemic. A former NAS...

Irvine Ranked in Survey as California’s Best Place to Start a Business

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

(Orange County Register) Irvine was ranked California’s best big city to start a business, in a recent survey by WalletHub. WalletHub’s review of 21 economic and demographic metrics for 100 large U.S. cities created an overall national ranking from breakdowns for each locale’s business environment; access to resources; and business costs. Seventeen California cities made the 100-city scorecard: Irvine: No. 20 overall in the U.S.— No. 6 environment; No. 1 resources; and No. 97 in costs. Long Beach: No. 26 overall — from No. 14 environment; No. 32 resources; and No. 82 in costs. Fresno: No. 27 overall — No. 47 environment; No. 56 resources; and No. 35 in costs. Oakland: No. 30 overall &mdash...

Orange County Soccer Club Announces New Family Game Night and 2021 Season

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

After a year of challenges unlike any other, The Orange County Soccer Club is excited to announce its promotional schedule, The NEW Family Game Night, a series of innovative and safe programming options designed to bring fans back into our community safely. The New Family Game Night includes two post-match firework shows, three Beer Fests, a unique set of five specialty nights designed to support family fun, and a weeknight program designed around $1 beers and affordable food offerings. Additionally, the 2021 schedule features theme nights, premium giveaways, and community nights with more events being added prior to the season opene...

Irvine Ranks Second in Top Geographic Information System Programs in North America

Thursday, April 22, 2021

The City of Irvine was ranked #2 by PSD Citywide in the top 25 most mature public sector Geographic Information System (GIS) programs in North America. Irvine is the first U.S. participant to earn a spot in the top three GIS programs in the history of the survey. Irvine ranks second behind Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and ahead of third-ranked District of North Vancouver, British Columbia. PSD Citywide empowers governments of all sizes with infrastructure asset management, budgeting, and GIS solutions through their web-based software. PSD created the Geospatial Maturity Index (GMI) to assist with GIS program development, capacity building, and innovation in publi...

Host Your Group Meeting in Irvine

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Irvine is home to 22 hotels ranging from full-service and all-suite properties to boutique and economy with nearly 4,900 sleeping rooms and thousands of square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate 10 to 1,200 people, with safety measures in place. The Greater Irvine Chamber's Destination Irvine team can assist you with planning just about every detail of your event. From proposal requests to site selection, itinerary planning to activity arrangements, we are dedicated to ensuring your meeting or event in Irvine is a success. Conveniently located in the center of Orange County, Irvine is a premiere Southern California meeting and event destination that is affordable and easil...

Higher Ed Integral to Business Needs

Saturday, April 17, 2021

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Lande Ajose, senior policy advisor for higher education to Governor Gavin Newsom, discuss the challenges the state faces in its goal to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all Californians. California has some of the best regional economies in the world and it is thanks to our higher education institutions, which include prestigious universities like the University of Southern California, UCLA, California Institute of Technology, and Stanford, Zaremberg tells podcast listeners. But California’s higher education institutions don’t just include research universities—the state has a community college syste...

Irvine Community Report Provides Insights from a Challenging Year

Monday, March 29, 2021

Highlights from the Greater Irvine Chamber Community Report covering 2020 have been published in the Orange County Business Journal. The report provides a snapshot of Irvine's demographics and workforce details. It also provides insights into the work of the Chamber and its Destination Irvine and Economic Development divisions to enhance the economic vitality of Greater Irvine. View / Download the full Irvine Community Report Below are excerpts as published in the March 29 Orange County Business Journal: View / Download the full Irvine Community Report

Eight Women Named Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence

Friday, March 26, 2021

Eight outstanding Orange County women were selected from an impressive group of finalists and honored during the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event live-streamed on March 24. GAME CHANGER Janeen Hill, Ph.D. Dean, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences Chapman University EXECUTIVE Patty Juarez National Diverse Segments Director Wells Fargo ADVOCATE Farrah N. Khan Mayor City of Irvine ENTREPRENEUR Nada Nasserdeen CEO & Founder Rise Up For You AUTHENTIC LEADER Danni Remington Smithson Vice President & Regional Manager Bank of Southern California INNOVATOR Amy von Kaenel Founder & CVEO VolunteerCrowd RISING STAR Caitlyn Yang CEO & Founder StartSmart INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AWARD Lynn Jochim Chief Operating Officer FivePoint To read how the honorees have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community, view the event program booklet. 2021 WOME...

Southern California Gas Company Sets Bold Net Zero Emissions Pledge

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), the largest gas utility in the U.S., today announced the company's bold commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045. View/Download the Report This commitment makes SoCalGas the largest gas distribution utility in North America to set a net-zero target including scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, which would eliminate not only its own direct emissions but also those generated by customers' energy delivered by SoCalGas' energy infrastructure. SoCalGas' commitment aligns with the Paris Climate Agreement's recommendations and reflects the company's focus on supporting California with a resilient gas grid through the energy transition t...

Irvine Police Announce New Online Hate Crime Reporting Tool

Saturday, March 20, 2021

(Orange County Register) As public officials and activist groups around the country demand an end to attacks on Asian Americans, Irvine police are rolling out a new online portal people can use to report hate crimes and incidents. It’s part of larger efforts by the Police Department and the city to discourage racism and bias and be more inclusive. Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel announced the reporting tool at a March 19 press conference at the Irvine Civic Center. City leaders including Mayor Farrah Khan, representatives of Asian American organizations, and several residents also spoke about their experiences and their goal of ending racism. Orange Count...

Meet the Nominees for Greater Irvine Chamber 2021 Women of Influence Awards

Tuesday, March 09, 2021

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2021 Women of Influence virtual event to be live-streamed on Wednesday, March 24 at noon will recognize an outstanding woman in each of eight categories who have positively impacted their industries and the Orange County community. REGISTER FOR WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2021 AWARD CATEGORIES: Entrepreneur is a woman who founded an organization and has excelled in strategy, operations, and finances. Achievement is measured by overall business success rather than business size. Innovator is a woman for innovations she has initiated, developed, or contributed in extraordinary ways to the organization or industry she serves. Executive is a woman who effectively leads al...

The Future is Electric, with California Leading the Way

Friday, March 05, 2021

By Gavin Newsom California is creating and growing the markets of the future. It happens here first because our ambitious policies to protect the planet and public health have not only cleared the air but also fueled our economic growth — and developed pathways that the federal government can model nationally. Our steadfast commitment to zero-emission vehicles takes into account that transportation is an integral part of our way of life and reduces harm to the air we breathe and the planet we leave for our kids’ future. Last fall, I committed that only zero-emission vehicles would be sold in California by 2035. Today...

Irvine, Orange County: Leader in Patient Care

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

By Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber As published in the Feb. 15, 2021 issue of the Orange County Business Journal Irvine is a well-established global leader in life sciences, innovation, and medical technology and manufacturing. With companies like Allergan, B. Braun, Biolase Technologies, Edwards Lifesciences, and Kahala Biosciences located in Irvine, and Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Bausch & Lomb, and Beckman Coulter close by, Orange County is a life science innovation hub and has been fairly described as the medical device capital of the world. As reported right here in the pages of the Orange County Business Journal over the past severa...

John Wayne Airport Lands Direct Route to Hawaii, Resumes Flights to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta

Saturday, February 13, 2021

(Orange County Register) After a nine-year hiatus, a direct flight to Hawaii from Orange County is returning to John Wayne Airport. As of Feb. 13, travelers were able to start booking summer flights from John Wayne Airport to Honolulu aboard a daily United Airlines flight. The daily route, according to an announcement by the airline, begins May 6 and is scheduled to depart SNA daily at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in HNL at 11:30 a.m. The return flight leaves Honolulu at 12:50 p.m. Hawaii time and lands at 9:10 p.m. in Orange County. Direct flights from Santa Ana to Hawaii’s islands have had a stop-and-star...

11 Great Things About Living in Irvine

Monday, February 08, 2021

Irvine residents already what makes it a great city in which to live, play, and work. And there are well beyond 11 reasons. But to help those who are interested in moving to Irvine, Extra Space Storage has put together a list of 11 of the master-planned city's desirable qualities. Recognized as one of the happiest cities in America and one of the best U.S. cities for raising a family, this California city is incredibly safe, offers a rapidly growing job market, and has an abundance of family-friendly activities. Here are 11 things you need to know about living in Irvine! Plant Roots in America’s Safest City Phot...

COVID-19 Dominates California’s Latest Workplace Regulations

Sunday, January 31, 2021

(The Press-Enterprise) In response to the coronavirus pandemic, California lawmakers and regulatory agencies spent much of 2020 passing legislation and issuing regulations to prevent and address the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Many of these laws and regulations went into effect Jan. 1 and will continue impacting California businesses well beyond 2021. New Measures in Workplaces California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health approved sweeping emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 infection prevention in November for all employees not covered by Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard. The state’s ATD regulations commonly apply to workers in health care facilities, laboratories, public health as wel...

In Case You Missed It: Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook Presentation and Slides Available Online

Friday, January 29, 2021

Whether you missed the Jan. 28 live-streamed presentation of the 2021 Greater Irvine Chamber Business Outlook event, would like to revisit it, or share it with others, the complete presentation, program booklet, and Chris Schwarz’s slide deck can be accessed here: Business Outlook 2021.

Irvine is Safest City of its Size for 15th Year

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

For the 15th consecutive year, Irvine is the Safest City of its size for violent crime, according to FBI data for 2019. Information released on Sept. 28 shows Irvine has the lowest rate of violent crime per capita of any city in the nation with a population of 250,000 or more. Irvine is also the Safest City of its size for violent crime for the first half of 2020, according to preliminary FBI data released earlier this month. The FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Report measures crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft, and arson. Irvine Mayor Christina Shea congratulated the Irvine Police Departmen...

UCI Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10 Public Universities for Seventh Consecutive Year

Monday, September 13, 2021

The University of California, Irvine has been ranked ninth among the nation’s public universities – and 36th overall – on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 list of “Best Colleges.” This is the seventh consecutive year in which UCI has placed in the top 10. For the second year in a row, the university is ranked No. 2 in the subcategory of social mobility, which takes into account the graduation rate of students awarded Pell Grants. The latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings – now in their 37th year – assesses 1,466 of the country’s bachelor’s degree-granting institution...

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