The City of Rochester strives to help local business owners find programs and incentives to support their success. The following city, county, state, and federal programs are available to help local businesses of all sizes–from small neighborhood businesses to large manufacturers– flourish. The City assists Industrial, High-Tech, and Commercial businesses.
Find a Program to Fit Your Needs
City of Rochester Loans, Services, & Grants
A guide to all the City’s business assistance programs in a format that makes it easy to see which of the many grants, loans, incentives, technical help and other resources available from the City meet your needs.
NYSEG and RGE Commercial and Industrial Rebate Program
The NYSEG and RG&E Commercial and Industrial Rebate Program offers rebates to qualifying nonresidential customers
who install energy efficient equipment from a pre-approved list of measures.
NYS Empire Zones Program
A unique program designed to stimulate economic growth in targeted areas of the city.
The City of Rochester’s Developer’s Guide
Clean air, pure water, unpolluted land, accessible streets and safe, sound and attractive buildings are among the expectations of the people of Rochester. Residents recognize that development and rehabilitation projects are both necessary and desirable. To meet these goals, the City encourages and assists prospective developers and enforces environmental, zoning and construction standards.
Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE)
GRE is a regional economic development organization supported by a team of private and public sector leaders dedicated to improving economic performance in the Greater Rochester Region.
High Tech Rochester (HTR)
HTR is a not-for-profit economic development organization focused on regional economic development in the technology and high growth business sector and assists the development of new and emerging businesses through its business incubator, the Lennox Tech Enterprise Center.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA offers cost-sharing on technical assistance engineering studies, financial incentives and low-interest loans for electrical energy efficiency upgrades involving new construction and comprehensive facility upgrades. NYSERDA also provides financial incentives for the installation of renewable energy generation technologies such as solar and wind.
Rochester Business Alliance
The mission of Rochester Business Alliance is to be the leading advocate for business and a primary agent for ensuring robust economic growth and a positive business climate for the Greater Rochester Region.
The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS)
CIMS at Rochester Institute of Technology provides technology assistance, testing and work force training to companies in a wide variety of industries.
Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO)
REDCO is a not-for-profit development corporation dedicated to stimulating and increasing business investment in the City of Rochester for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs and providing viable commercial services for city residents. REDCO provides technical, financial and other services to support the growth and success of existing and start-up city businesses as well as businesses relocating to the City of Rochester.
Center for Urban Entrepreneurship
The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship’s mission is to help reshape the regional economy and build wealth within the urban community by being the central resource for urban entrepreneurial programs and research.
Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council identifies, defines, and informs its member counties of issues and opportunities critical to physical, economic, and social health of the region.
Pathstone Corporation
Pathstone is a not-for-profit community development and human service organization providing services to low-income families and economically depressed communities.
Rochester Downtown Development Corporation
A private, not-for-profit, economic development entity. Its mission is to create the synergy and balance that is part of a healthy downtown. The RDDC agenda nurtures a broad range of development initiatives. These include housing, commercial, entertainment and large public projects.
Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster
Bausch & Lomb, Corning, Kodak and Xerox, make this region a research and manufacturing hub, rich with knowledge, experience and innovation in optics manufacturing, metrology and imaging. It is supported by the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Infotonics Technology Center.
Rochester Tooling and Manufacturing Association
The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) is regarded as one of the most technologically advanced and diverse clusters of contract machining and manufacturing associations in the United States. It is currently comprised of 255 companies in the Upstate New York region.
Rochester Works
Monroe County’s largest employment and training initiative,, is dedicated to helping Monroe County in the Rochester, NY region develop a strong workforce.
Small Business Development Council at SUNY Brockport
The Brockport SBDC provides small business advice and consulting for entrepreneurs in Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne counties.
Small Business Development Council at SUNY Geneseo
To provide professional business advisement, education, and network resources to advocate for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Rochester Urban League
The Rochester Urban League provides over 30 programs in the following categories: Business Development Services, Development Disabilities Division; Youth Education and Development, Workforce Development, Family and Children Services and the Home Store.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA can help facilitate a loan for you with a third-party lender, guarantee a bond, or help you find venture capital.
Monroe County
Monroe County provides a wide array of services to help businesses and residents.
Questions?
See our Contact Us page for an expert that pertains to you.
