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Local businesses and library makerspace highlight Ontario’s economic comeback
Summary
Local business owners, a professional hockey executive and library staff used a community showcase to describe new facilities, manufacturing growth and free makerspace services for residents.
Business owners and community organizations used the showcase to spotlight recent investments and local programs they say support jobs, skills and community life in Ontario.
Darren Abbott, president of the Ontario Reign, opened remarks at Toyota Arena, describing the Reign as "the AHL ... affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings," noting a new scoreboard funded with city assistance and promoting community fundraising through the team’s Hope Rains Foundation and the annual teddy bear toss.
Why it matters: The arena and sports-related programming anchor the Arena District and support tourism and seasonal event activity that city and business leaders say spur local spending.
Several small-business owners described their operations and ties to the city. Costas Gitakis, founder and president of Vitco Foods, said the company’s new 129,000-square-foot facility includes about 42,000 square feet of refrigerated space and a refrigerated loading dock to maintain the cold chain; he thanked the city for help with permitting. Maria Martinez, co-owner of Mestiza Cake House and Café, said the downtown café blends Mexican and European flavors and described the business as rooted in the community. Brandy Dobbins, owner of Bee's Maple House Chicken and Waffles, described taking ownership in 2020 and the importance of her staff to the restaurant’s success.
Veronica Cortez, supervising librarian for Adult Services at the Ovid Family Community Library, described Lightspeed Makerspace’s free resources for Ontario residents—laser cutter, 3D printers, sewing machine and robotics tools—and told listeners that "all you need is an Ontario City library card to access these resources for free." John Encarnacion, an adult services librarian, gave a patron example of a family using a Prusa 3D printer.
Why it matters: Promoters said these business investments and community programs both support local jobs and provide residents with training and recreational options.
Attribution: Quotes and details in this article are taken from the presenters and business owners at the event (transcript segments provided by the organizers).
