About Business Development

Image of manufacturing facility

The City of Rochester’s Business Development team partners with a wide variety of for-profit businesses from high technology and manufacturing to neighborhood commercial and retail. We  provide financial services, and other support to achieve the following  objectives:

  • Job Creation and Retention for City Residents
  • New Business Growth
  • Downtown and Neighborhood Business Revitalization

Business Development Information

Business Development Team

If you have a business located in the City and would like our assistance, please contact us and we will provide first class customer service with a "Yes We Can" attitude.

Director               Thaddeus Schofield:  Director of Strategic Business Development 
                                 (585) 428-7848 | Thaddeus.Schofield@CityofRochester.Gov

Northeast           Johanna Gonzalez:  Business Development Liaison/Bilingual
                                 (585) 428-6525 |  Johanna.Gonzalez@CityofRochester.Gov                            

Northwest          David Balestiere:  Economic Development Project Manager
                                  (585) 428-6817 | David.Balestiere@CityofRochester.Gov 

Southeast           Deidre Stevely:  Senior Economic Development Specialist
                               (585) 428-6920 | Deidre.Stevely@CityofRochester.Gov 
Southwest
Downtown      Danyelle Ortiz:  Business Development Liaison
                                (585) 428-6712 | Danyelle.Ortiz@CityofRochester.Gov