More than 1,300 business, government officials and community members gathered for the 2025 State of the County last week for an update on a range of economic and cultural activities happening in San Bernardino County.
The event Sept. 17 at the Ontario Convention Center featured presentations on topics such as workforce development, technology and innovation, entertainment and tourism, mining and natural resources and manufacturing industries.
The 2025 event also featured student leaders from across the county who presented information on the top economic sectors and employers alongside the county supervisors. Kaine Koltoniuk, a student at Sultana High School in Hesperia, kicked off the event by introducing Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, the event’s host.
Her board colleagues showcased successful businesses and impactful workforce training by local colleges, and Rowe conducted interviews with local business and education leaders.
A video presentation on key 2025 statistics spotlighted the 3 million annual visitors to Big Bear and Joshua Tree National Park and 9,559 new housing permits issued between January 2024 and June 2025.
District 1 Supervisor Paul Cook, with assistance from D1 resident Kaine, provided an overview of mining and the natural resources industry in the Mojave Desert.
“I’m proud to share that San Bernardino County is the largest mining county in California with more than 90 active sites,” Cook said. “Our county’s diverse mining industry is both an important and valued sector for our regional economy, while also providing a highly competitive resource advantage to our nation.”
Cook singled out Colosseum Mine in the Mojave National Preserve, where gold was discovered in the 1860s. Mining continued in the area until 1939 and resumed in the 1980s and ’90s. With Cook’s backing, after years of inactivity the mine has recently been reactivated with plans to extract nearly $270 million in gold annually.
Kaine talked about MP Materials Corp. in Mountain Pass, where the company operates the only mine in the nation that produces 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.
Kaine also discussed contributions to the local mining and natural resources industry from Castle Mountain gold mine and CalPortland Co.’s cement operation.
A presentation by 2nd District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez showcased Fontana-based Crown Technical Systems, a success story in the local manufacturing sector and a leader in power distribution and protection systems.
“Since 1996, they have been providing top notch control relay panels, medium voltage switch gears, and enclosures, all playing a vital role in keeping our country’s infrastructure running smoothly,” Armendarez said. “Whether it’s utilities, college campuses, neighborhoods and businesses, Crown is helping deliver power where it’s needed the most.”
Julius Freeman, a student at Etiwanda High School in District 2, highlighted KraftPal Technologies in Ontario. KraftPal makes sustainable corrugated cardboard pallets that use 80% less materials from trees and are 100% recyclable. The company works with client firms in the pharmaceutical, medical instruments, parts distribution and logistics sectors.
Julius also spoke about efforts by Alger Precision Machining in Ontario and Yucaipa-based Sorenson Engineering Inc. to work with local job-training programs to develop workforce talent.
The next presentation featured 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s acknowledgment of Upland-based Claremont BioSolutions, 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.
“Their work makes research more efficient and accessible for government agencies, prominent research universities, and low- and middle-income countries,” Hagman said. “Claremont BioSolutions’ products have proven vital for low resource settings, and have attracted grants from organizations such as National Institutes of Health and NASA.”
Hagman introduced Tiffany Munoz, a student from Ontario High School that is in the 4th District. Tiffany spoke about ZM Trucks in Fontana that manufactures sells zero-emission “urban environment commercial vehicles,” according to the company. Tiffany said ZM Trucks is paving the way for companies to uncompromisingly transition from diesel to zero-emission systems.
Officials said the county Economic Development Department played a key role in helping ZM Trucks locally establish its first North American manufacturing facility.
Tiffany also recognized the work of Kemira Water Solutions Inc. in Fontana and General Atomics in Adelanto for innovation and technology.
Board Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. gave an overview of the county’s workforce of 908,418 employees across all industries. Baca’s presentation also featured a five-year employment growth forecast of 4.4% and a 10-year forecast of 9%.
Baca also pointed to San Bernardino Valley College’s training programs that prepare residents for future participation in the local workforce.
“Earlier this year, San Bernardino Valley College opened its Applied Technology Building, becoming San Bernardino County’s newest public workforce training hub,” Baca said. “With this new facility, San Bernardino Valley College is helping to ensure that every student has access to the best training that leads to financially rewarding and stable careers in San Bernardino County and beyond.”
Emeli Barcenes, a student at the Norton Science and Language Academy in Baca’s district, spoke about the Center for Employment Training in Colton. The center offers programs auto repair, electrical work and sustainable building construction.
Emeli also spoke about the High Desert Training Center in Victorville. There students have the opportunity to earn degrees and certifications in aviation, industrial maintenance, forklift operation and OSHA safety, which refers to compliance with state regulations.
And the Fab School in Rancho Cucamonga offers students technical and hands-on skill training for entry-level jobs in metal fabrication, welding, digital design as well as the manufacturing and carbon fiber industries, Emeli told State of the County attendees.
The 2025 event concluded with Rowe’s showcase of local entertainment and tourism.
“Millions of people seek out San Bernardino County for the great places we have to offer,” Rowe said. “Is it the adventure, the natural beauty, or the history? I would say it’s all of the above and so much more.”
The county board chair spoke about legendary Pappy and Harriet’s Palace in Pioneertown. Since 1982 the rich history of Pappy and Harriet’s has attracted music fans, travelers and artists, beginning with the golden age of Hollywood.
Over the years, the rustic saloon has established a reputation as a premier venue for live music. Paul McCartney, Vampire Weekend and Patti Smith are among popular musicians who have performed on Pappy and Harriet’s stage.
Rowe and Aakriti Maske, a student at Redlands High School, also acknowledged other premier destinations in the county — Ritual Brewing Co. in Redlands, the Oak Glen Preserve, Lake Gregory, Goodwin and Sons Market and Thousand Pines Christian Camp in Crestline.
Gubler Orchids, a family-owned business that has been growing orchids in the Morongo Basin for several generations, also received recognition. Beginning operations in 1975 and now operating nurseries in Landers and Lucerne Valley, owner Chris Gubler plans to expand with an additional acre of greenhouses in the future.
Gubler sells orchids to Lowe’s stores throughout the western U.S. and works with a division of The Kroger Co. that operates Ralphs grocery stores. Gubler also supplies orchids to El Super, which has about 70 stores.
During peak holiday seasons, such as Valentine’s and Mother’s days, the company ships between 60,000 and 80,000 plants in a mere two weeks — all grown in the Morongo Basin. According to Gubler, a key advantage of the desert-based operation is the ability to control humidity, light and temperature, which results in stronger plants.
Next month, Gubler Orchids plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Morongo Basin Orchid Festival.
Event attendee Henry Shannon, president of Chaffey College, said the State of the County is always exciting, and he tries to come every year to keep informed about the county’s goings on.
“Our county supervisors are stellar,” Shannon said in a county statement. “They provide great leadership, and I’m really excited about the county’s future prospects.”
Grand Terrace Councilman Doug Wilson, another attendee, said the event was very informative.
“I like the focus on education,” he said in a statement. “I think it’s critically important to the development of this area.”
Estevan Bennett, a West Valley Water District board member, said he was inspired and excited about the region’s future.
“In particular, the workforce development component is crucial right now to help not just young people, but others, enter the marketplace,” said Bennett. “I think San Bernardino County is headed in the right direction.”
A recording of the 2025 event in available on the county’s YouTube account.
