The City of Rochester would receive $300 million in funding for economic development and revitalization under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal.
The proposal includes $225 million for what would be known as the Rochester-Monroe Transformation Initiative.
That’s in addition to a $75 million proposed investment in the construction of High Falls State Park.
State Sen. Jeremy Cooney said he’s grateful for the governor's proposed investment but thinks it could be a tough sell for some of his colleagues in the Legislature.
“We have watched other cities like Buffalo and Albany last year received similar types of investments," Cooney said. "It is Rochester’s turn. We are ready for this moment, and we are going to seize it while we can.”
The funding is similar to a $400 million plan to revitalize the City of Albany, called the Championing Albany’s Potential Initiative, first proposed by Hochul in last year’s budget and later approved by the Legislature.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello released a joint written statement Tuesday afternoon, saying the funding will "help drive job creation, support and attract local businesses, cultivate innovative economic development projects, and strengthen key industries throughout Rochester and Monroe County."
They also said they "look forward to working with our state delegation and local partners to ensure these resources deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for our residents, families, and business community.”
