‘Supporting local’ highlighted in Kitchener State of the City address
Posted Oct 22, 2025 07:21:46 AM.
Last Updated Oct 22, 2025 10:36:15 AM.
A major check-in on the pulse, progress, and pursuits for the City of Kitchener, with a big focus on supporting local businesses during its annual State of the City address.
The speech, delivered by Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, aimed to discuss what’s been done, what is actively developing, and what’s ahead for the city, all with a local focus in mind.
“Through both good or challenging times, Kitchener and its residents have always shown their resilience in responding to the moment,” said Vrbanovic. “This mindset, this grit, this determination to succeed, to build partnerships and come together to solve tough problems, is in our DNA. It’s our purpose.”
That local mindset comes about from a growing climate of harsh economic conditions, which Vrbanovic stated has clearly impacted different aspects of the city over the past year. He stated, though, that the city has done the work to progress through those difficult hardships by focusing inward.
“As we face global economic uncertainty, we draw strength from the foundations we’ve built and the power of community. We know from experience that we thrive best when we support each other by collaborating, supporting local, and lifting one another.”
That attention to local efforts was literally heard during Vrbanovic’s speech, where he mentioned the word ‘local’ over 60 times during his approximately 35 minutes of combined speaking time.
Some of the main areas the mayor addressed included the importance of the city’s manufacturing sector, its push for overall affordability, and how Kitchener is working to lead the way when it comes to housing across Canada.
“While the province, and indeed our country, works through a global housing crisis, it has never been more important for Kitchener to support local development,” Vrbanovic stated. “Today, Kitchener stands among Ontario and Canada’s strongest municipalities in delivering on provincial and federal housing commitments.”
He pointed to Kitchener being named a top-performing city in Canada by the federal government when it comes to housing, earning the city an additional $4.2 million from the country’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
Vrbanovic went on to discuss the importance of focusing on local educational institutions as well as on young entrepreneurs in order to ensure the progress being made in the city continues for years to come.
He also took the time to address new developments for the city’s arts and entertainment industry, officially launching Kitchener LIFE and announcing Kitchener Takes the Stage.
“Developed in collaboration with Centre In The Square and other City-owned venues, Kitchener LIVE will offer a unified platform for ticket-buyers, event producers, and community members alike,” Vrbanovic said. “With shared ticketing and event calendars, Kitchener LIVE will bring together performances and special events at Centre In The Square, The Aud, The Registry Theatre, the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, and more.”
Kitchener Takes the Stage, meanwhile, is said to be a new annual initiative for the city, showcasing local musicians, artists, and entertainers for a one-of-a-kind celebration of the arts. That’s slated to get rolling in the spring of next year.
Looking ahead, Vrbanovic said the next direct impacts seen in the city will come with the 2026 operating budget. He stated that affordability will be the number one concern for city councillors.
“Next month, we will present our 2026 operating budget, recognizing that now, more than ever, we must keep things affordable for our residents and businesses. That’s exactly the kind of budget we will deliver.”
All-in-all, Vrbanovic spoke during his State of the City address of the pride he has for the City of Kitchener, continuing to push towards the city’s motto: “Ex Industria, Prosperitas” or “Prosperity, through Industry.”
He spoke of the municipality’s now more diverse economy, resiliency, and driven nature seen throughout the community, something he wants to strive to continue as the city begins pushing towards 2026.
“There is no doubt that this past year has challenged us all in new ways. Trade disruptions, rising costs, and economic and geopolitical instability have rippled across borders. In times like these, we have two choices: to worry, wait, and hope for the best, or to dig deep, step up, and rise to the occasion.”
