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 …

First time reading? Sign up here

🍇 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

Kickstart 2026 with the ultimate Intranet Buyer’s Handbook

Choosing the right intranet can transform how your organization communicates, collaborates, and shares knowledge.

Download Haystack’s 2026 Intranet Buyer’s Handbook to confidently compare platforms, identify must-have features, and avoid costly mistakes.

When you’re ready to see our modern solution in action, explore how Haystack connects employees to the news, tools, and knowledge they need to thrive.

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!

Let's Connect!

New to the newsletter? Subscriber for free

💌 What do you think? Let me know!

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Reply

or to participate.