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Local business owners and community groups showcase Ontario’s growth and amenities
Summary
At a downtown community event, small-business owners, manufacturers and civic groups described new facilities, maker‑space resources, arts projects and charitable events that they say demonstrate Ontario’s business climate and neighborhood investment.
Dozens of business owners and community representatives spoke at a downtown Ontario event to describe growth, local resources and community programs.
Small‑business owners framed entrepreneurship as community service. Maria Martinez, co‑owner of Mestiza Cake House and Cafe, said the bakery combines Mexican and European flavors and celebrated opening in one of downtown’s oldest buildings: “Mestiza means you’re blended,” she said, describing the shop as a family business that has “been a success since day one.”
Darren Abbott, president of the Ontario Reign hockey team, highlighted Toyota Arena’s community role, noted a city contribution to a new scoreboard and described the team’s charitable programs, including an annual teddy‑bear toss that donates toys to children. Mark Smith, vice‑president and general manager of Ontario Mills, said the indoor outlet draws regional shoppers and credited city partnerships for supporting retail and tourism.
Library staff promoted Lightspeed MakerSpace at the Ontario City Library. Veronica Cortez, supervising librarian, said the maker space provides equipment including a BOSS laser cutter, Prusa 3D printers, sewing machines and robotics stations. “All you need is an Ontario City library card to access these resources for free,” she said.
Manufacturers and distributors described local investment. Costas Kutakis, founder of Vitco Foods, outlined a new 129,000‑square‑foot distribution facility with 42,000 square feet of refrigeration and a refrigerated loading dock, and credited expedited permitting for helping the project meet timelines. Marylyn Baker, president of DH Casters, said her company employs 13 people in Ontario and emphasized customer service and supply‑chain resilience.
Arts and community groups also had a presence. Artist Alejandro Poli Jr. (Man1) urged a stronger municipal arts program and described finding creative space close to home. The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association described maintenance ambassadors, street cleaning and goals to make downtown a safer and more attractive destination.
Why it matters: the event brought together business, arts and civic groups to show how local investments, amenities and programs are intended to support jobs and neighborhood revitalization. The testimony of business owners provides concrete examples of employment, new facilities and community partnerships referenced in the city’s broader development agenda.
Attributions: speaker names and roles are taken from event remarks and are attributed to the named speakers as listed in the transcript.
