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Corona Opens Downtown Innovation Center, Turning $2.5 Million State Grant Into Community Hub
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The City of Corona has officially opened the Corona Innovation Center at the Corona Public Library, completing a $2.5 million state-funded project aimed at connecting residents with technology, entrepreneurship, workforce training and career opportunities.
A State-Funded Vision
The project was made possible by a $2.5 million grant from the State of California, secured in 2023 through the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), awarded through Senator Roth's office. That funding transformed a portion of the library into a flexible, programmable space where students, residents, entrepreneurs and local businesses can learn, collaborate and build new skills.
The center sits at the Corona Public Library near the historic intersection of Main and Sixth streets — a location that ties the project directly to the city's ongoing Downtown Revitalization effort while reinforcing the library's role as a community anchor.
What the Center Offers
The Innovation Center will provide:
- Business and entrepreneurship development services
- Workforce and career pathway programming
- Youth-focused STEM education
- Technology and digital resources
- Workshops, events and collaborative learning opportunities
Programming will be delivered through partnerships with local schools, colleges, businesses and regional organizations — linking classroom learning to career exploration, entrepreneurship and the needs of the local economy.
Built on Community Input and Local Leadership
The grand opening fulfills a vision championed by former State Senator Richard Roth, whose leadership helped secure the state investment behind the project.
The center's design also reflects direct community feedback. During the Corona Public Library's strategic planning process, residents specifically asked for technology classes, access to advanced tech resources and expanded workforce development opportunities, priorities that shaped the center's final scope.
Part of a Bigger Downtown Strategy
City officials are positioning the Innovation Center as more than a standalone facility. By bringing these resources into the downtown core, Corona is linking the project to a broader revitalization strategy focused on talent, innovation, and place, one that aims to invest in people, create new economic opportunities, and build destinations that draw residents, businesses, and visitors downtown.
The center also advances goals laid out in the City of Corona's Economic Development Strategic Plan, including support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, strengthened workforce development, exposure to emerging career pathways for young people, and more opportunities for residents to learn, work and innovate close to home.
