Ambassador of the Month Archive

City of Irvine Launches Small Business Support Program

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

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

Canada Ranks as Fourth Largest Source of FDI in California

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

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

Edwards Adds Another Office to Portfolio

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

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

City of Hope Completes Irvine Land, Office Buy

Friday, May 29, 2020

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

Rules for Reopening California Fitness Centers to be Announced Soon

Friday, May 29, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

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

Orange County is Built for Resilience

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

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

County of Orange Awarded $700,000 to Support Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Thursday, May 21, 2020

In partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB), the County of Orange will be launching the OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program. OCWDB received $700,000 in Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds from the California Employment Development Division (EDD) to support local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. “This program allows the County to offer another vital opportunity to local small businesses struggling to continue their operations,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor. “We are grateful to the State for awarding this funding.” Through the OCWDB COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program, eligible businesses can receive up to $10,000 in grant funds...

May 2020 Market & Economic Update with Christopher Schwarz

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Catch up on the May economic update from Christopher Schwarz of UCI Paul Merage School of Business. Stay informed about the current state of the economy and what to expect as we emerge from the Coronavirus crisis. This update was hosted in partnership with the UCI Center for Investment and Wealth Management, the Paul Merage School of Business, UC Irvine, the Greater Irvine Chamber, and the Newport Chamber of Commerce. The next economic update will be available to live stream June 9 at 11:30 a.m. Schwarz will be joined by Bill Mcbride of calculatedriskblog.com. Stay tuned for the registration link.

ReOpen OC Safely

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

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

Here’s How $2.3 Trillion In Stimulus Money Was Doled Out and What Could Be Next

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

(Orange County Register) As Congress argues about a second stimulus package, here’s a look at how the $2.3 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was divided up. The CARES Act became the largest economic stimulus bill in modern history, more than doubling the stimulus act passed in 2009 during the financial crisis. The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27. Now Congress is considering another stimulus package that could be even bigger. According to this CNBC/Change Research poll, 94% of Americans support sending recurring direct monthly payments, specifically to those who have lost jobs or wages. Respondents support sending the monthly check...

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

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

Burnt Crumbs and Burntzilla In Irvine Have Reopened for Takeout

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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

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

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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

NAFTA Ends June 30, USMCA to Start July 1

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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

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

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

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

For Malls and Others, Reopenings in Limbo

Monday, May 11, 2020

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

California’s Phase 2 Coronavirus Restart: Here’s What Can and Can’t Open This Week

Friday, May 08, 2020

(San Francisco Chronicle) Gov. Gavin Newsom says some retail stores will be able to reopen for curbside service Friday and that in some areas, officials will soon be able to seek state approval to go further. Details on reopening guidelines will be released Thursday. Opening: Businesses that will be able to open include clothing stores, bookstores, sporting good stores, and florists. Manufacturers and suppliers of those goods can also resume with modifications to their operations. But: Places with stricter stay-at-home orders, such as the Bay Area, can keep their rules in place. If they do, stores will remain closed, even if other region...

West Coast Organizations Promote Trade to Fuel Economic Recovery

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

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

Gov. Newsom: Changes to Virus Order May Come Within Weeks

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

(Associated Press) California may be only a few weeks away from making “meaningful changes” to its stay-at-home order, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, but he warned progress will be jeopardized if people do things like crowd beaches, which occurred over the warm spring weekend. “This virus doesn’t take the weekends off, this virus doesn’t go home because it’s a beautiful sunny day around our coasts,” he said. The Democratic governor targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties, calling them an example of “what not to do” if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus. But Orange County officials pushed back agains...

California to Borrow Federal Money to Cover Soaring Jobless Claims

Monday, April 27, 2020

(Los Angeles Times) California has been approved to borrow what is expected to be billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits to those left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic, raising concerns about the cost of repaying the debt. The state made the request as its reserves for paying unemployment benefits are being quickly depleted, requiring California to begin borrowing in just a few weeks, officials said. “We have protocols in place for difficult moments such as this to ensure critical safety nets remain in place,” California Labor Secretary Julie Su said. With more than 2.7 million Californians filing ne...

Post-Coronavirus Business Operations May Look Different in California Versus Florida

Friday, April 24, 2020

(Politico) Retailers are considering “sneeze guards” and ways to quarantine fitting room items. Restaurant owners are imagining a future with masked servers and temperature checks. Industries built on the personal touch are looking to eliminate physical contact. Businesses may be appealing to Congress for more aid, but they know key details about the economy’s reawakening won’t be hammered out in Washington. The states, counties, and even cities are widely expected to decide when each business can open its doors and under what conditions. Industry groups are pleading for coordination as they brace for a jumble of evolving state and local orders tha...

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

Thursday, April 23, 2020

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

Science Provides Hope for COVID-19

Thursday, April 23, 2020

(CalChamber) In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg, and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Science and Regulatory Advocacy Richard Moscicki, M.D., discuss how increased testing, medical treatments and vaccines can provide short-, middle- and long-term solutions to battling the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and reopening the economy. Below is a condensed summary of the podcast. To hear the full discussion of each topic, visit the time stamps noted in the article below. Short-Term Solution: Testing (Time Discussed: 03:30) The answer to the question of how the economy can effectivel...

Senate Approves $480 Billion More in Aid for Small Businesses, Hospitals, COVID-19 Testing

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The Senate has passed an estimated $484 billion infusion of funds for small businesses, hospitals, and COVID-19 testing as the economy continues to reel from the pandemic. The chamber on Tuesday afternoon passed the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act on a voice vote, sending the bill to the House for approval. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer indicated that a vote could take place as early as Thursday morning. Democrats finally reached a deal with Republicans and the White House after days of intense negotiations. On the Senate floor ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Democrats stymied the process...

COVID-19 Loans and the New Economy

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, discuss the variety of federal COVID-19 loan programs available for businesses of all sizes, and provide tips on how businesses can prepare for the new economic landscape that awaits. Cushioning the Blow It appears as though the country is seeing the peak in the growth rate of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and once the country is past the peak, the conversation will likely move from how to combat the virus to how we are going t...

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

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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

This Is Where All 50 States Stand on Reopening

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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

Unemployed Californians to Get an Extra $600 in Weekly Benefits Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Monday, April 13, 2020

Californians struggling to find work will receive an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits from a federal stimulus package starting, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, as a deluge of 2.3 million new claims in the last month has the state struggling to get payments to those who have just lost their jobs. The additional relief money approved by Congress means California’s average weekly benefit of $340 will be boosted to $940, while those who get the maximum weekly state benefit will see checks increased to $1,050. The higher benefits will last for four months. The first payment is going out Sunday to thos...

Record 16.8 Million Have Sought US Jobless Aid Since Virus

Friday, April 10, 2020

With a startling 6.6 million people seeking unemployment benefits last week, the United States has reached a grim landmark: More than one in 10 workers have lost their jobs in just the past three weeks to the coronavirus outbreak. The figures collectively constitute the largest and fastest string of job losses in records dating to 1948. By contrast, during the Great Recession it took 44 weeks — roughly 10 months — for unemployment claims to go as high as they now have in less than a month. The damage to job markets is extending across the world. The equivalent of 195 millio...

World Trade Organization Annual Report: Trade Numbers Fall

Friday, April 10, 2020

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

California Among the States Least Economically Vulnerable to Coronavirus

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

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

Fed Preparing to Finance New Small-Business Payroll Loans

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

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

Senate Aims to Approve More Small-Business Aid on Thursday

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Senate leadership is moving quickly to approve additional aid for small businesses, which have been hard-hit by the coronavirus outbreak, after a rocky rollout last week of the program aimed at helping them. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that he is working with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to approve additional funding later this week. "Congress needs to act with speed and total focus to provide more money for this uncontroversial bipartisan program. I will work with Secretary Mnuchin and Leader Schumer and hope to approve further funding for the Paycheck Protection Program b...

Larger Businesses Share in CARES Provisions

Monday, April 06, 2020

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

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

Friday, April 03, 2020

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

Federal COVID-19 Leaves: Key Points

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

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

Greater Irvine Chamber’s OC World Trade Week Forum Goes Global with Digital Format

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s sixth annual Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) forum will be live streamed to a global audience on Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14. Information and advice delivered digitally by a global lineup of speakers and panelists is even more relevant now as the world deals with disruptions caused by the health crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic. The program will feature a keynote from Mark O’Connell, CEO, OCO Global, who will discuss Globalization: Pandemic, Populism, and Power. OCWTW forum will include an Orange County trade and export overview from a representative of the U.S. Commercial Service, an...

Join the SBA for a Live Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Q&A

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

With the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection programs available, many businesses have unanswered questions surrounding applications and eligibility. To provide clarity on these new programs, the U.S. Small Business Administration Orange County/Inland Empire is hosting a live, daily Q&A session at 10 a.m. Click here to join the Skype Meeting. Click here for more information.

Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Help Small Business During Crisis

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will provide some relief for small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. The Executive Order is linked here. The Governor’s executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns. Additionally, the order extends by 60 days the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund to accommodate tax and fee payers. Th...

Octane Has Released its 2019 Impact Report

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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

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

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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

SBDC Offers Free Daily Webinar Series

Monday, March 30, 2020

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

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

Saturday, March 28, 2020

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

2020 Market & Economic Update with Christopher Schwarz

Thursday, March 26, 2020

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

Furloughs Versus Layoffs: Is There a Difference in California?

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Many Californian businesses are facing difficult choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Confronting losses in revenue and uncertainty in the future, businesses are evaluating their options for preserving their companies while maintaining their workforce. CalChamber members are asking, “What is the difference between furloughing and laying off employees?” Essentially, a furloughed employee remains an employee but with reduced or eliminated work hours, while a layoff generally means a complete employment severance. (Many may remember “furlough” when it was commonly used a decade ago during Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration when he furloughed state workers to address budgetary concern.) However, under the current circumstances, the Californi...

CalChamber Statement on Governor’s New Essential Business Directives

Monday, March 23, 2020

The California Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s essential business directives: “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Governor Newsom and his staff for providing directives that will clarify and give certainty on essential business operations so employers and employees can continue to operate and be productive,” said Allan Zaremberg, president and CEO of the CalChamber. “We urge all local officials to follow the lead of the Newsom Administration by conforming their directives to these guidelines. A large number of California businesses operate in many different counties or span the entire state so the nee...

Californians Ordered to Stay at Home

Monday, March 23, 2020

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday evening that keeps Californians in their homes and shutters businesses deemed non-essential in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order went into effect Thursday with no end date provided. Businesses considered essential will continue to operate and include restaurants offering take-out and delivery, grocery stores, food banks, banks, pharmacies, gas stations, laundromats, and media and news outlets. The Governor also asked President Trump on Thursday to send United States Naval Ship Mercy Hospital to the Port of Los Angeles to provide some relief to the state’s healthcare system. The Business Journal remain...

COVID-19 Federal Paid Leaves Explained

Monday, March 23, 2020

The federal government passed a coronavirus emergency relief package on March 18 that provides protected paid leave to workers impacted by COVID-19. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg is joined by employment law expert Benjamin Ebbink and CalChamber Executive Vice President Jennifer Barrera to discuss what employers should know about the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA), and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA). Criteria The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act are temporary measures that will take effect on April 2 and will sunse...

Existing SBA Disaster Loans to Automatically Defer Through End of 2020

Monday, March 23, 2020

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

Factories Pivot to Fight Coronavirus, But Challenges Abound

Monday, March 23, 2020

Factories that crank out cars and trucks looking into making much-needed ventilators. Distilleries intended for whiskey and rum to instead turn out hand sanitizers and disinfectants. And an electronics maker that builds display screens repurposed for surgical masks. All are answering the call of duty amid a pandemic that has so far claimed more than 11,000 lives and sickened 260,000 people globally. But redirecting plants to make completely different products will take a long time and a huge effort — possibly too long for some companies to help with medical gear shortages that are becoming more acute every day. “When you are repurposin...

Fed to Buy as Much Government Debt as Needed to Aid Economy

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Federal Reserve is unleashing its boldest effort yet to protect the U.S. economy from the coronavirus by helping companies and governments pay their bills and survive a devastating crisis. With lending in Treasury and mortgage markets threatening to shut down, the Fed announced an aggressive set of programs Monday to try to smooth out those markets. To do so, it committed to buy as much government-backed debt as it deems necessary. And for the first time ever, the Fed said it plans to buy corporate debt, too. Its intervention is intended to ensure that households, companies, banks, and governments can ge...

Trump Issues Major Disaster Declaration for California as Coronavirus Pandemic Intensifies

Monday, March 23, 2020

President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for California on Sunday to help the state handle the economic and health consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The declaration will provide additional aid to the state, including food assistance and more financial help for people who have lost work or faced business losses because of the outbreak. It came hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Trump requesting the action. Among other provisions, the declaration will allow people like business owners who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance to apply for disaster unemployment insurance. Trump also approved Newsom’s earlier reques...

2020 Census Extends Response Timeline

Friday, March 20, 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the 2020 Census response timeline and suspended all employee field operations because of the coronavirus outbreak. The decision came only one week after Census documents were just delivered to households, and it means workers will halt person-to-person efforts to ensure that residents participate in the count that determines political representation in Congress and guides federal spending. “Beginning today, in support of guidance on what we can all do to help slow the spread of coronavirus, 2020 Census field operations will be suspended for two weeks until April 1, 2020,” U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in a...

The New Tax Deadline: Pay by July 15

Friday, March 20, 2020

In a historic move, the Internal Revenue Service has pushed the April 15 tax-payment deadline to July 15 this year for many people who haven’t paid their 2019 taxes. On Wednesday, the agency released details of the change in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The bottom line: People who want to delay their tax payments must submit their tax returns or another form to the IRS by April 15 to claim this benefit without risking interest or penalties. The three-month extension to pay federal income taxes doesn’t change the obligation to file returns. In short, taxpayers shouldn’t blow off their April 1...

Trump Signs Coronavirus Aid Package with Paid Sick Leave, Free Testing

Friday, March 20, 2020

President Trump on Wednesday signed into law a multibillion-dollar emergency aid package aimed at helping Americans impacted by the coronavirus. The House-passed measure was approved by the Senate earlier Wednesday and includes provisions offering paid leave benefits for Americans, bolstered unemployment benefits, and free diagnostic testing for the virus. “The [Families First Coronavirus Response Act] makes emergency supplemental appropriations and other changes to law to help the Nation respond to the coronavirus outbreak,” Trump said in a statement Wednesday evening announcing he had signed the bill. The bipartisan bill, which is the product of days of negotiations last week between Treasury Secretary Steve...

Unemployment Claims Double in Two Days in California as Coronavirus Takes Economic Toll

Friday, March 20, 2020

California is seeing a big spike in unemployment claims as the state and nation hurtle towards the first recession in 12 years. “We are currently experiencing a large increase in claims filed in our programs and have staff working overtime to keep up with the demand,” said Loree Levy, spokesman for the state’s Economic Development Department. “In addition, we are working to redirect other staff, and hire additional staff, as much as possible to assist with the claim filing process,” she said. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday evening that the state typically receives about 2,000 claims daily. “Two, three days ago we sa...

COVID-19: Preparing for Remote Work

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Much has happened over the week on a national scale and for California, there is rising concern among business owners and employers due to the rapidly changing issue of COVID-19. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss working remotely, the resources available for employees and Governor Gavin Newsom’s guidance on the state’s aging workforce. Working Remotely Employers should look at every employee position and decide what tasks to give the worker at home, Shaw explains. For some employers, this may be getting people set up remotel...

Trump Says US, Canada to Close Border to 'Non-Essential Traffic' Amid Coronavirus

Thursday, March 19, 2020

President Trump said the U.S. and Canada had agreed to close their border to non-essential travel as the two countries seek to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. "We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to non-essential traffic. Trade will not be affected. Details to follow!" Trump tweeted. Specifics of the closure were not immediately available, but the new restrictions are likely to affect non-citizens traveling between the two countries. Trump and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the situation, officials said. "You can only be vigilant and very professional, but it’s not pertaining at thi...

White House Seeks $1-Trillion Economic Stimulus, Including Payouts to Americans

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Trump administration on proposed a $1-trillion economic stimulus package to counter the effects of the coronavirus, including relief for small businesses and the airline industry, and sizable checks for Americans in the next two weeks. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin outlined the request to Senate Republicans at a closed-door lunch on Capitol Hill and has been in discussions with House Democratic leaders. “It’s going to be big and it’s going to be bold,” President Trump said, praising the bipartisan commitment in Congress to move quickly. Senate Republicans — having taken a backseat to the administration and House Democrats on two prior coronaviru...

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Guidance for Businesses and Employers The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America - 15 Days to Slow the Spread The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the mos...

As Coronavirus Cripples Global Supply Lines, More US Firms Looking to Leave China

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Beyond short-term economic disruptions and increased recession worries, the spreading coronavirus is sowing the seeds of a broad transformation of the global supply chains that for years brought low consumer prices and high corporate profits on products such as cellphones, computers, and household goods. China looks to be the biggest loser as U.S. producers step up plans to reduce their reliance on the world’s second-biggest economy, which has long enjoyed a central, dominant role in an international manufacturing network that ships parts and materials back and forth among different countries before assembling them into finished products. A slow U.S. exodus from Chin...

Coronavirus: An Economic Look

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

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

Private Payrolls Up 183,000 as Hiring Shows No Signs of Coronavirus Scare

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

U.S. companies kept adding jobs in February despite the coronavirus scare, as private payrolls expanded well above the pace that Wall Street had anticipated. Employment excluding government jobs rose by 183,000 for the month, according to a report from Moody’s Analytics, topping the 155,000 that economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected. The job growth came during a month in which fear spread that the COVID-19 strain would lead to a global economic slowdown. So far, 93,455 cases have been confirmed worldwide, including 3,198 deaths. However, the economy remained resilient and companies continued to hire in the face of the worries and ...

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

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

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

Air Canada to Launch Daily, Year-Round Flights from Vancouver to Orange County

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

Air Canada announced it will launch non-stop service between Vancouver and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport beginning June 15, subject to final airport authority approvals. Tickets are now available for purchase at aircanada.com or through travel agents until March 17 for travel between June 15 and September 30. "The shared California/Canada commitment to building new companies and expanding our economies has connected the two trade partners and now with daily non-stop flights between Orange County and Vancouver, we have a convenient portal for business and leisure travel," said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber and Destination Irvine. "We are very pleased to announce new daily, year-round flights from Vancouver to Orange County as we strategically expand our transborder network int...

Census Ball Now in California’s Court

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Once the Census Bureau begins mailing out questionnaires, sending operatives to knock on doors and puts its forms on the Internet, much of California’s fate will be in the hands of its people, residents of every size, shape, color, belief, and ethnicity. To ensure schools are fully funded, roads and infrastructure are properly maintained and rebuilt, and maintain that the people have a significant voice in both public policy and the Electoral College, it is up to every individual to make sure they are counted For awhile, it appeared that Trump’s administration might insert a citizenship question among the standard queries to b...

Lighthizer Heading to London to Restart US-UK Talks on Trade

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to visit London in the coming days for talks with British officials aimed at putting plans for negotiations on a free-trade agreement back on track. The visit will include a meeting with U.K. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, according to people familiar with the matter. He’s also scheduled to address the Oxford Union, according to the organization’s website. The so-called special relationship between America and Britain is showing strains after Prime Minister Boris Johnson in late January rejected President Donald Trump’s request to ban China’s Huawei Technologies Co. from its next-generation broadband networks. The move reportedl...

US Consumer Confidence Rises to 130.7 in February

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

U.S. consumer confidence improved slightly in February, rising to a reading of 130.7, the highest point since August. The Conference Board said that its measure of consumer sentiment is up from a revised reading of 130.4 in January. The January reading was revised down from an initial estimate of 131.6. Consumers views on the present situation for business and labor market conditions fell this month, but their expectations for the future rose. Conference Board economist Lynn Franco said that consumers continue to view the outlook as favorable, and when this is combined with solid employment growth, it should be enough to support continued spendin...

HR Expert Shares Tools for Navigating Coronavirus Impact on Businesses

Monday, March 30, 2020

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

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