Rochester business opportunities most people never see

The Insider's Guide to the Greater Rochester, NY Business Community

Author

Mike Marcellus
February 04, 2026

The Rochester Networker

👋 Good afternoon, Rochester! Welcome to The Rochester Networker, the local newsletter serving 10,103 professionals in the Greater Rochester business community.

In today’s issue:

👍See which groups in the Rochester region are getting share of $10M in federal funds

👀 Rochester program helps older technology users navigate a high-tech world

📈 Rochester organizations looking for Performers for the 2026 International Plaza Season, Sign Language Interpreter Services, and more

❤️ City of Rochester announces has a business training program to support minority business owners, there was more than $9M in federal funds secured for projects across Finger Lakes region, and more

📅 Register for Rochester networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

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🍇 GRAPEVINE
Rochester Business Buzz

A look inside the Greater Rochester business community.

  • See which groups in the Rochester region are getting share of $10M in federal funds (Read)

  • Rochester program helps older technology users navigate a high-tech world (Read)

  • Kodak expands pharmaceuticals portfolio, looking to hire (Read)

  • Wegmans slips in customer satisfaction as value-focused shoppers reshape retail (Read)

  • Rochester businesses join national strike against ICE (Read)

  • Two more businesses leave beleaguered Henrietta shopping center (Read)

  • Multibillion-dollar data center to be built in Genesee County (Read)

  • Against the current, Wheel Works Brewing starts turning in Shortsville (Read)

  • Crews working to free people stuck in gondolas at Gore Mountain (Read)

  • Business growth in Monroe County (Read)

📈 PIPELINE
Sales & Marketing

Sales leads and exclusive offers for Rochester businesses.

  • Performers for the 2026 International Plaza Season (Link)

  • CVMF Building 200 Generator Replacement (Link)

  • The New York State Education Department needs Sign Language Interpreter Services (Link)

  • Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center Modernization Project (Link)

  • Rochester Housing Stability Fund Corporation Application for Small-scale or Innovative Project Funding (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS
Resources & Support

Technology, funding, and connections that power growth in Rochester, NY.

  • City of Rochester announces business training program to support minority business owners (More)

  • More than $9M in federal funds secured for projects across Finger Lakes region (More)

  • George Eastman Museum to receive $500K in federal funding for structural repairs (More)

  • Rochester’s laser lab secures $111M in federal funding (More)

  • Hochul's proposed budget includes $300M for economic development in Rochester region (More)

  • Find Grants for Nonprofits and Small Businesses in New York: A Practical Guide to Funding Your Impact (More)

  • Finger Lakes awarded $20M for better water quality (More)

  • Hochul proposes $260 billion state budget to offset federal cuts without raising taxes (More)

📅 EVENTS
Business & Networking

Where Rochester professionals go to learn, connect, and grow.

🤝 2/05 Local Business Network - B2B Rochester Connection (Register)

🤝 2/06 Business Before Hours Networking at Brighton Apothecary (Register)

🤝 2/06 Business After Hours Networking: 4th Annual Rochester Women's Network & Brighton Chamber Co-Event (Register)

🤝 2/11 Fashion and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Rochester (Register)

🤝 2/11 Galentine's Day Speed Networking with CREW ROC (Register)

🤝 2/12 AfterHours Networking Event @ Rochester Marriott Airport (Register)

🤝2/21 In the Black - A Small Business Pop-up Market Place(Register)

🤝 3/26 After Hours Networking: Celebrating Women in Business (Register)

🤝 3/26 Business Before Hours Networking at Legacy Clover Blossom (Register)

🤝4/03 Business Before Hours Networking at Whelpley and Paul (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

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That way, you can focus on vision. Not systems.

Thank you for being part of our Greater Rochester business community!

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