Monroe County Planning and Development Department

10/15/2026

SBA fee relief for manufacturers has been extended for another year!

09/18/2026

Join us for the 6th Annual Defense and Government Contracting Forum on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Rochester, NY. Bringing together the people, organizations, and resources shaping the future of the Defense and Government Industrial Base.

Hosted in partnership with Congressman Joseph D. Morelle and Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello, this premier regional event connects government agencies, prime contractors, and small businesses for a full day focused on learning, networking, matchmaking, and growth.

What can you gain from attending?
🔹 Connect directly with government and industry leaders
🔹 Learn through timely training and educational sessions
🔹 Network with potential partners and decision-makers
🔹 Meet prospective buyers and teaming partners through matchmaking
🔹 Identify opportunities to expand your presence in the federal marketplace
🔹 Strengthen your connections across the Defense and Government Industrial Base

Whether you're an established government contractor or considering your first step into federal contracting, this forum is designed to help you make the right connections and uncover new opportunities.

📍 Woodcliff Hotel Conference Center | Fairport, NY
🗓️ Tuesday, October 13, 2026

🎟️ Registration is OPEN - secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/eS3Krbfj

09/17/2026

08/25/2026

Join Monroe County for a full-day Complete Streets Design Workshop focused on practical tools and strategies for designing and implementing Complete Streets.

Connect with planners, engineers, municipal leaders, and other transportation professionals from across Monroe County while learning from local perspectives and real-world experience.

• Date & Time: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Location: Monroe Community College, 1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY
• Learning Credits: 7 PDHs & AICP CMs
Register here: https://cip.monroecounty.gov/train/register/form/CompleteStreetsWorkshop
Space is limited – reserve your spot!

.E.

08/05/2026

Today, Monroe County, NY celebrates the completion of QED Technologies' remarkable $18.7 million expansion in the City of Rochester, NY.

The project adds 20,000 square feet for a new research and development center and expanded precision-optics fabrication capabilities, helping QED move innovations into production more quickly for the semiconductor, aerospace and defense industries. It is expected to create up to 72 new jobs over five years.

QED’s pioneering technology is a core competitive advantage powering Greater Rochester's status as the global hub for cutting-edge industry sectors within Optics, Photonics, Imaging, and Laser innovation.

Under Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello's leadership, Monroe County Planning and Development and COMIDA were proud to help advance the expansion, including targeted incentives supporting its renovation and equipment component. We thank our colleagues and partners at Empire State Development, the City, and Greater Rochester Enterprise (Rochester, NY) for their support and collaboration on the project.

Congratulations to President and CEO Michael Mohammadi and the entire QED team on 30 years of innovation, and on an exciting new chapter for QED and Rochester’s world-renowned optics industries.

08/05/2026

We're excited to see the vision of co-locating RochesterWorks' Career Center with so many of Monroe County's workforce development and training resources at MCC's downtown campus become a reality. This collaboration will make it easier to connect residents with the education, training, and career opportunities they need to succeed.