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Emergency Preparedness Series Helps Businesses Build Resilience
Emergencies can strike without warning, but preparation can make all the difference. To help businesses strengthen their resilience, the City of Irvine, in partnership with the Greater Irvine Chamber, is offering a three-part Emergency Preparedness Series for Businesses.
The series provides practical tools, strategies, and expert guidance to help businesses protect employees, minimize disruptions, and recover more quickly when the unexpected occurs. Topics include emergency response planning, fire safety, disaster preparedness, business continuity, and crime prevention.
Each workshop focuses on a different aspect of preparedness, allowing participants to build a comprehensive resilience strategy over time. Businesses will gain practical insights and recommendations from the City of Irvine Office of Emergency Management, Orange County Fire Authority, and Irvine Police Department on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of emergencies.
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Business Licensing in Irvine: A Faster Path to Getting Started
Starting or growing a business in Irvine is easier than ever. Over the past year, City staff have implemented targeted improvements to streamline the business licensing process and reduce processing times.
Today, business license renewals and applications for businesses located outside of Irvine are typically processed by the next business day. New business license applications that are submitted with all required information are generally issued within one week.
These improvements reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and fostering a business-friendly environment where companies can launch, operate, and grow with confidence.
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Youth Entrepreneurship Camp Inspires Future Business Leaders
Building a strong workforce starts with investing in the next generation. This July, local students in grades 6–9 will explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and business leadership at the City’s Youth Entrepreneurship Camp. Through this fast-paced, two-day program, participants will learn the fundamentals of launching and growing a business — including idea development, market research, problem-solving, pitching concepts, and entrepreneurial thinking — while gaining valuable skills that can help prepare them for future academic and career success.
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Business Preparedness Series: Emergency Response & Fire Safety Workshop
Thursday, July 16 | 8:30–11 a.m.
Greater Irvine Chamber, 36 Executive Park, Ste. 100, Irvine
This hands-on session, facilitated by the City of Irvine Office of Emergency Management and the Orange County Fire Authority, focuses on the practical aspects of workplace emergency preparedness, helping businesses strengthen emergency response plans, improve employee safety, and better prepare for fires, natural disasters, and other unexpected disruptions. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to support business continuity, protect operations, and enhance resilience in the face of emergencies.
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The Sustainability Transition: Green Business Strategies for the Future
Tuesday, August 11 | 9–11 a.m.
Quail Hill Community Center
Sustainability is becoming both a business imperative and a competitive advantage. This forum will highlight practical strategies to improve environmental sustainability while increasing efficiency, reducing costs, strengthening brand value, and supporting long-term growth. Attendees will hear from industry leaders, the Green Business Program, and City representatives on how sustainable practices can deliver measurable business benefits.
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 Capital & Growth Conference Connects Businesses with Resources and Funding Opportunities
On June 5, the City of Irvine partnered with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to host the Small Business Capital & Growth Conference, connecting entrepreneurs with funding and business growth resources. The conference drew 160 attendees. Businesses received guidance on financing, growth strategies, workforce development, and marketing. The event also led to 23 one-on-one business consultations and 39 customized market research reports, providing participating companies with valuable support for future growth.
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Career Workshops Through OC Workforce Solutions
Looking to advance your career, strengthen your job search, or build new workplace skills? OC Workforce Solutions offers a variety of no-cost workshops designed to help job seekers succeed in today's workforce. Topics include resume and cover letter development, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, job search strategies, career exploration, and upskilling opportunities. View the attached calendar for a full list of upcoming workshops.
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Irena Phillips
As Executive Assistant to the City’s Director of Economic Development, Irena helps advance key initiatives that strengthen Irvine’s business community and advance the Office of Economic Development’s strategic priorities. With more than seven years of public sector experience, she has developed a broad understanding of local government, strategic coordination, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Irena plays an important role in supporting workforce development initiatives and leading the office’s data and performance tracking efforts. Prior to joining Economic Development, she served as a foundational staff member in the City’s Office of Health & Wellness, where she helped establish new programs and connected community resources that benefit businesses and job seekers alike.
Irena holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. Her diverse municipal experience and collaborative approach make her an integral member of the Economic Development team.
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