Uncover New Rochester Business Opportunities

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

Author

Mike Marcellus
February 18, 2026

In partnership with

The Rochester Networker

👋 Good afternoon, Rochester! Welcome to The Rochester Networker, the local newsletter serving 10,683 professionals in the Greater Rochester business community.

In today’s issue:

👍 How Wegmans tracks, adapts to emerging shopping trends

👀 RG&E tells customers to brace for higher bills after bitter cold snap

📈 Rochester organizations that are looking for Engineering, Testing and Inspection Services, IT Audit & Advisory Services, HVAC Replacement and Upgrade, and more

❤️ Governor Hochul announces over $3 million in grants, URochester, RIT receive $2 million in tech funds, Reju announces partnership with Goodwill of the FLX in near $400M deal, 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.

  • How Wegmans tracks, adapts to emerging shopping trends (Read)

  • RG&E tells customers to brace for higher bills after bitter cold snap (Read)

  • Registration now open for Upstate NY MWBE Conference 2026 (Read)

  • New bill aims to slash costs for commuters in Upstate New York (Read)

  • Workers strike outside Garlock facility in Palmyra (Read)

  • Proposed law would require local businesses to be transparent with biometric technology (Read)

  • NY Workforce Connect to host industry networking event in Rochester on April 16 (Read)

  • Payroll issues continue in Rochester City School District (Read)

  • Mamma G’s to open second location in Pittsford Plaza on Wednesday (Read)

  • Rochester seeks developer for prime waterfront real estate (Read)

📈 PIPELINE
Sales & Marketing

Sales leads and exclusive offers for Rochester businesses.

  • The Rochester Stability Housing Fund Corporation is seeking proposals from qualified, experienced organizations for programs that reduce displacement, improve housing stability, and create stable housing opportunities for low-income households (Link)

  • Construction Materials Engineering, Testing and Inspection Services (Link)

  • IT Audit & Advisory Services needed in Upstate New York (Link)

  • HVAC Replacement and Upgrade needed at City School District (Link)

  • DASNY needs Bond Trustee Services - Seven (7) years with three (3) one-year extension options (Link)

  • 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.

  • Reju announces partnership with Goodwill of the FLX in near $400M deal (More)

  • Governor Hochul announces over $3 million in grants towards black history education and capital projects (More)

  • URochester, RIT receive $2 million in tech funds (More)

  • New York investing $240M to increase supply of affordable housing throughout the state (More)

  • Big funding boost coming for performing arts across Rochester region (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)

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

📅 EVENTS
Business & Networking

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

🤝 2/19 RIT Women in Business 3rd Annual Charity Gala (Register)

🤝 2/21 Rochester Parkinson Network (Register)

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

🤝 2/26  Rates & Refreshments - Networking Event for Agents (Register)

🤝 3/23  ReMA Empire Facility Tour of Metalico's/Networking Event (Register)

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

🤝 3/25 Gather & Grow: Networking With a Purpose (Register)

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

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

🤝 4/06 Business Before Hours Networking at Legacy Clover Blossom (Register)

🤝 4/08 Multi-Chamber Networking: Comedy @the Carlson (Register)

🤝 4/23 Before Hours Networking at Ukrainian Federal Credit Union (Register)

🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

🧰 TOOLS

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You’ll also discover how the platform drives engagement, retention, and productivity across your workforce here: Industry leading engagement begins here.

Start 2026 with a smarter strategy—and build a workplace employees actually love.

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

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