News Release - Rochester’s Downtown Innovation Zone Designated

City of Rochester

News Release

(Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014)— Commissioner Delmonize Smith -- on behalf of Mayor Lovely Warren -- today announced the designation of a Downtown Innovation Zone at the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation’s State of Rochester’s Economy luncheon.

“We are proud to announce this designation,” said Commissioner Smith. “It represents the space that has been carved out where ideas are welcomed and explored by the best and the brightest minds to find solutions and resources to address our most significant issues. We are working to build on Rochester’s strong tradition of leadership in technical and entrepreneurial innovation.”

Innovation zones are clusters of emergent, innovative entrepreneurial developments that accompany the movement of people and businesses. They have appeared in New York, Boston, Louisville, Philadelphia and other cities. Rochester’s Downtown innovation zone was created in partnership with the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation to recognize Downtown Rochester’s cluster of innovative and creative companies and enterprises. Rochester’s numerous market-driven innovation nodes are located at the Sibley Building, RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, High Falls, St. Paul Quarter, Cascade District and East End.

Downtown’s innovation-based revitalization is supported by its numerous ongoing real estate developments, Startup NY incentives, new public transit connections, a complete streets policy, ample adaptive residential and commercial space, unique arts and entertainment vitality and trendy workspaces that are attracting a large and diverse number of residents and companies. A website has been created for the Downtown Innovation Zone, www.rochesterdiz.com.

Rochester is also being strongly considered by both the Bloomberg and Rockefeller Foundations for grants that would help the City expand its newly created Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives. The office has been in place since September and is working to research and develop bold new solutions to Rochester’s most pressing social and economic challenges.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.