Supervisors Emphasize Growth and Innovation in State of the County Address

Overview of the 2025 State of the County Event

More than 1,300 individuals from various sectors, including business leaders, government officials, and community members, gathered for the 2025 State of the County event. The gathering took place on September 17 at the Ontario Convention Center, offering a comprehensive update on the county's economic and cultural developments.

The event featured a range of presentations covering topics such as workforce development, technology and innovation, entertainment and tourism, mining and natural resources, and manufacturing industries. Student leaders from across San Bernardino County played an active role in presenting information about key economic sectors and employers alongside county supervisors.

Kaine Koltoniuk, a student at Sultana High School in Hesperia, opened the event by introducing Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who served as the host. Rowe conducted interviews with local business and education leaders, highlighting successful businesses and impactful workforce training programs offered by local colleges.

A video presentation provided insight into key 2025 statistics, showcasing the 3 million annual visitors to Big Bear and Joshua Tree National Park, along with 9,559 new housing permits issued between January 2024 and June 2025.

Mining and Natural Resources Industry

District 1 Supervisor Paul Cook, with assistance from D1 resident Kaine, provided an overview of the mining and natural resources industry in the Mojave Desert. He emphasized that San Bernardino County is the largest mining county in California, with over 90 active sites. Cook highlighted the Colosseum Mine in the Mojave National Preserve, which has recently been reactivated with plans to extract nearly $270 million in gold annually.

Kaine also discussed MP Materials Corp. in Mountain Pass, the only mine in the nation producing rare earth materials, accounting for more than 10% of the global supply. MP Materials recently announced a public-private partnership with the U.S. Defense Department to accelerate the development of a complete, nationwide rare earth magnet supply chain.

Other contributions to the local mining and natural resources industry were mentioned, including Castle Mountain gold mine and CalPortland Co.’s cement operation.

Manufacturing and Technology Sectors

Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez showcased Fontana-based Crown Technical Systems, a success story in the local manufacturing sector. The company provides power distribution and protection systems, playing a vital role in keeping the country’s infrastructure running smoothly.

Julius Freeman, a student at Etiwanda High School, highlighted KraftPal Technologies in Ontario, which produces sustainable corrugated cardboard pallets. The company works with clients in the pharmaceutical, medical instruments, parts distribution, and logistics sectors.

Efforts by Alger Precision Machining in Ontario and Yucaipa-based Sorenson Engineering Inc. to work with local job-training programs were also recognized.

Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman acknowledged Claremont BioSolutions in Upland, a key business in the technology industry. The company provides life science researchers with streamlined, low-power devices for molecular diagnostics and biological science research.

Tiffany Munoz, a student from Ontario High School, spoke about ZM Trucks in Fontana, which manufactures zero-emission commercial vehicles. Officials noted the county Economic Development Department’s role in helping ZM Trucks establish its first North American manufacturing facility.

Workforce Development and Education

Board Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. gave an overview of the county’s workforce, which includes 908,418 employees across all industries. Baca’s presentation also featured employment growth forecasts of 4.4% over five years and 9% over ten years.

Baca highlighted San Bernardino Valley College’s Applied Technology Building, a new public workforce training hub. Emeli Barcenes, a student at the Norton Science and Language Academy, spoke about the Center for Employment Training in Colton, offering programs in auto repair, electrical work, and sustainable building construction.

The High Desert Training Center in Victorville and the Fab School in Rancho Cucamonga were also mentioned, providing students with technical and hands-on skill training for entry-level jobs.

Entertainment and Tourism Highlights

The 2025 event concluded with Rowe’s showcase of local entertainment and tourism. She emphasized the county’s appeal, citing Pappy and Harriet’s Palace in Pioneertown, a legendary venue for live music. The rustic saloon has hosted artists like Paul McCartney, Vampire Weekend, and Patti Smith.

Other premier destinations in the county, including Ritual Brewing Co. in Redlands, the Oak Glen Preserve, Lake Gregory, Goodwin and Sons Market, and Thousand Pines Christian Camp in Crestline, were also acknowledged.

Gubler Orchids, a family-owned business in the Morongo Basin, received recognition for its orchid cultivation. Owner Chris Gubler plans to expand with additional greenhouses, supplying orchids to major retailers like Lowe’s and Ralphs.

Attendee Reactions and Future Outlook

Event attendee Henry Shannon, president of Chaffey College, praised the county supervisors for their leadership and expressed excitement about the county’s future prospects. Grand Terrace Councilman Doug Wilson called the event informative, emphasizing the importance of education for regional development.

Estevan Bennett, a West Valley Water District board member, expressed inspiration and excitement about the region’s future, particularly highlighting the importance of workforce development.

A recording of the 2025 event is available on the county’s YouTube account.