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The Leading Voice of Business in Orange County |
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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A YEAR IN REVIEW: OCBC LOOKS BACK ON 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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 When OCBC Chairman Larry Buster of First American Title chose this year's theme in January for 2009 very few understood the depth and the importance it would have over the next 12 months. In a year riddled with economic downturn, housing in flux and financial instability, OCBC looked to not only compete with these elements, but "Compete to Succeed."
At OCBC's final board of directors meeting of 2009, President and CEO Lucy Dunn presented the year in review and highlighted the accomplishments thus far from the Business Council. The review includes a list of objectives and priorities consistent with the core strategic initiatives of infrastructure, workforce development, workforce housing, economic development, research and communications, networking events, crisis response and administration. Click here to view OCBC's accomplishments for 2009.
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DUNN AND DONE BLOG: WILL THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY SAY "NO THANK YOU" TO FEDERAL EDUCATION DOLLARS?
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 The deadline for states to apply for federal "Race to the Top" (RTTT)
education funding is fast approaching and while other states have their
applications ready to go, the California Assembly has not yet passed
the measures needed to make sure California is even able to apply for
the much-needed money.
Every child has a right to a quality public education. Today, school
officials across California are wondering, not about quality education,
but about whether they will even be able to keep schools open due to
Sacramento's chronic fiscal crises, deferred education payments and
huge cuts (over half a billion dollars lost in Orange County alone).
Luckily for California, the Obama administration has offered federal
funding opportunities, but with strings attached. In order to qualify
for these funds, California must agree to allow the use of specified
accountability and measurement tools and develop new reform strategies
with a focus on achieving higher academic standards. California must...[read more]
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ORANGE COUNTY'S LEADING ORGANIZATIONS JOIN FOR HOLIDAY RECEPTION
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 Join the Orange County Business Council, Orange County Division - League of California Cities and the Building Industry Association of Orange County for the 2009 OC Leadership Symposium Holiday Reception.
Join us for good food, good spirits and good company for what is sure to be the most talked about holiday reception of the year--best of all, its FREE!
Click here to RSVP!
Date: Thursday, December 10,
2009
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Hyatt Regency Irvine
For more info please contact OCBC's Events Manager, Leslie Dods, at 949.724.7241. Click here for the event flyer.
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CONGRESSWOMAN LORETTA SANCHEZ BRIEFS OCBC ON MAJOR ISSUES
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 Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
stopped by OCBC's Government Affairs Committee meeting on November 10 to talk
about the major issues of the moment: health care reform, infrastructure, and
stimulus dollars going to home buyer tax credits and unemployment benefits. She spoke at length on the House health care reform bill
(H.R. 3962) that recently passed, sharing her
perspective on the bill's provisions. Sanchez made it
clear that she supports a public option that will benefit the majority
of her constituents.
The Congresswoman mentioned that
unemployment benefits have been extended again and that the job market will likely be
tough for some time to come, but her biggest worry
right now is that schools in California may close do to the state's dire
fiscal situation. Her goal is to figure out how to "'tee' up federal dollars
because there is no money at the state level." OCBC supports passing bills such
as SBX5 1 as one way to get much-needed money for California's public
school system. This bill would make California eligible to apply for the Race to
the Top (RTTT) federal funds. For more info, please contact Kate Klimow.
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OCBC WIN: FEDERAL HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT EXTENDED
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 On a 98-0 vote, the Senate has approved a bill that will extend additional tax credits for prospective homebuyers, a move that will likely prove crucial to rejuvenating the housing market. The tax credit was originally going to expire November 30. Buyers who sign a purchase agreement by April 2010 can now claim the credit.
"If we have learned anything in this economic downturn, it's that appropriate incentives work," says OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn. "This tax credit incentivizes young people to buy and builders to build."
For the first time, the legislation makes move-up buyers as well as first-time buyers eligible for a credit. The $8,000 maximum first-timer credit will continue and will now be available to couples with income up to $225,000, a nearly $55,000 increase above the level in existing law. A new $6,500 maximum credit would also be available to move-up homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years. For more information, please contact Kate Klimow.
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OCBC INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE LOOKS AT ENERGY AND P3 OPPORTUNITIES
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 At a recent OCBC Infrastructure Committee
meeting, two representatives from OC Public Works gave a presentation on a new
county financing initiative for renewable and solar technology called "OC
Sunergy." Residents and business owners alike can elect to participate in this
program in an effort to decrease energy costs and, ultimately, to reduce
Orange
County's carbon footprint.
A measure passed in 2008, AB 811, allows local jurisdictions to establish such a
financing district wherein property owners can voluntarily enter into a
contractual agreement for the installation of permanently fixed energy
efficiency or renewable energy systems and repay the loan through their property
tax bill. Since the County
spends around $20 million a year on energy, OC Sunergy plans to complete an energy
audit and retrofit of the County to lessen the drain on the County's general
fund.
Darren Kettle, Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, shared some insight on
public-private partnerships (P3), speaking from his past experience at the San
Bernardino Association of Governments' (SANBAG). He spoke
about the success of the "self-help counties" model as well as the benefits of
partnering with the private consultant community to get projects done on time and on budget. Mr. Kettle touched on the long term cost-benefit analysis that should be undertaken when considering whether to use a public agency, a private consultant, or a mix of both. This
high-level discussion will be revisited at the next Infrastructure Committee
meeting in 2010. For more information, please contact Dr. Wallace Walrod. |
OCBC MEMBERS SIZZLE ON OC METRO'S PLATINUM HOT 25 LIST
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 Several OCBC members and affiliates were recognized last week at OC METRO's 20th anniversary of The
Hot 25 list which recognizes the people of 2009 shaping Orange County business, philanthropy, entertainment and the arts.
OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn was on hand to recognize OC METRO's Quiet Achiever Award, presented by Northwestern Mutual--The Waltos Group, to OCBC's Latino Educational Attainment (LEA) initiative founder Joe Ames. [click here to read OC Register's follow up article on Joe and the LEA program.]
Other OCBC members to receive recognition were:
Since 1990, OC METRO magazine, the flagship magazine of Churm
Media, has highlighted and honored 25 individuals each year who are
making headlines in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse
counties in Southern California. The 2009 issue is titled "The Hot 25
Platinum" marking 20 years of the Hot 25 list. [Click here for the full Hot 25 list]
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TUNE INTO OCBC-TV WEBCASTS AND GET CAUGHT UP ON THE LATEST EVENTS
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OCBC MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
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The Great Anaheim Apps Challenge Countdown: 6 days left
The Great Anaheim Apps Challenge, as featured in both the L.A. Times and the Orange County Register, is just 14 days away from the grand finale!
If you haven't already, make sure to submit your "apps" ideas right
away. If you have, you're more than welcome to submit additional ideas.
Don't forget, winners will be awarded more than $5,000 in cash and gift prizes for the brightest ideas in five categories.
Prizes in each category include $500 for first place, Flip Video
Camcorder for second place, and two tickets to Disneyland Resort for
third place. Plus, over 100 total honorable mentions will receive a $10
Starbucks gift card.
You don't have to live in Anaheim to participate. Anyone can enter
as long as you're a U.S. resident age 16 or older. So use your
imagination and give Anaheim your best apps ideas today. Winners will be
announced on January 5, 2010.
Go to www.AnaheimApps.org for complete details.
As Featured In:
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| COMMUNITY EVENTS |
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KOCE-TV Links for Learning Golf Tournament - Monday, November 30, 2009You're invited to the inaugural Links For Learning Golf Outing to benefit KOCE Classroom on Monday, November 30 at SeaCliff Country Club. KOCE Links For Learning Golf Outing KOCE-TV's inaugural golf outing celebrates innovation in education. For nearly 30 years, KOCE Classroom has helped teachers improve their curriculum and engage students in new ways. Through KOCE Classroom Discovery streaming, schools can access hundreds of educational broadcasts and thousands of online videos, images, and speeches that bring lessons to life. Click here to register and for more information.SCAA Annual Meeting and Holiday Breakfast - Friday, December 4, 2009The South Coast Apartment Association will host its 12th Annual Membership
Meeting and Holiday Breakfast on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel, Irvine. Elected officials will join the SCAA members to install their
Board of Directors. Keynote speaker is Dr. Wallace Walrod, OCBC Vice President
of Economic Development and Research. Networking 8 a.m., Program and Breakfast
8:30 a.m. $35 per person. For Reservations or more information please call Judith Legan at 949-955-3695. |
IS IT NEWS TO YOU? THEN IT'S NEWS WE CAN USE!
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Have an event coming up? Was your company just
highlighted in the news? Are you doing something great in Orange
County? The Business Council wants to know about it. Now OCBC members can submit news stories for OCBC's E-Update Indicator
Newsletter.
Click here and fill out the submission form for one of Orange County's premier business news source. Not a member? Click here for more information on how to get involved and join the leading voice of business in Orange County.
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SPREAD THE WORD! IMPACT THE WORLD! FORWARD YOUR COPY TO ASSOCIATES!
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Forward OCBC's E-Indicator to friends and colleagues by clicking on the "Forward Email" link at the bottom of the email and encourage them to sign up for one of Orange County's premier business publications!
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BUSINESS MEETS SOCIAL MEDIA
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 Do you tweet? Have a Facebook page or surf YouTube? Then follow the latest news
and information from OCBC online! The leading voice of business is connecting
you to business in Orange County like never before.
If you
have questions on how to get connected with the Business Council online, please
contact Director of Communications, Matt Prince at 949.794.7221. | |
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2 Park Plaza, Suite 100, Irvine CA 92614 | www.ocbc.org | PH: 949.476.2242 | FAX: 949.476.9240 | |
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