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Welcome to Monroe County, New York!

We’re a community of innovators on the cutting edge of scientific research and discovery; a community of artists featuring world-renowned performers, a top-flight orchestra and one of the nation’s premier schools of music; a community of entrepreneurs home to some of the world’s best known brands and fastest growing startups. But most importantly, we’re a community with limitless potential and endless possibilities.

We like to say we’re the best mid-sized community in America!

A Community of Innovators

Ever since George Eastman invented commercial photography, Monroe County has been a world leader in imaging technology. Today, we’re not only on the cutting edge of imaging, but biotechnology, telecommunications, optics, photonics, and much more. In fact, we rank among the top three communities in the nation in the number of patents granted per capita. Monroe County and the City of Rochester are home to the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology, two of the finest research institutions in the nation. The discoveries made on the campuses and research centers in our community have led to the development of new medical treatments and more powerful computer chips, and have helped the scientific world move forward by enhancing understanding in the fields of physics, biology, and chemistry.

Our goal as a community is to turn these discoveries into new industries—creating jobs and enhancing our quality of life. See Related Links for information on how you or your business can help us to meet this goal.

A Community of Artists

The clatter of an orchestra tuning up, the grace and beauty of world-class dance, the laughter of an audience—these are the sights and sounds of Monroe County. We’re home to the world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance Company, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rochester Broadway Theater League, the Downstairs Cabaret, the Memorial Art Gallery, the Rochester City Ballet—well, you get the picture. We love the arts here and there’s always something to experience from the biggest shows to the latest up and coming artists.Our community is home to the Eastman School of Music, one of the top music schools in the country and many of its students perform in the historic and world-renowned Eastman Theatre.

Here in Monroe County, we are confident that our quality of life is second to none.

A Community of Entrepreneurs

Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb—some the world’s most recognizable names in business make their home in Monroe County. However, we’re also home to smaller and fast growing firms like PaeTec Communications and Harris Interactive. Most importantly, we have a diverse economy that’s fully integrated into the global marketplace–which is why companies from our area export more products to foreign markets than 40 entire states! As County Executive, I have been proud to lead a county government that is committed to keeping taxes stable and working with businesses to locate or expand here and create jobs. In Monroe County, we’ve put jobs first; working to keep property taxes stable for 10 straight years and developing a package of economic incentive programs that is one of the most competitive in the nation.

By the way, did I mention that we have five of the top 100 school districts in America and the typical commute is less than 21 minutes?

What are you waiting for? If you looking to expand or relocate your business, look no further than Monroe County.

Limitless Potential, Endless Possibilities

Monroe County is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But the best part about living in Monroe County is that our best is yet to come. We’re dedicated to improving our community and looking for new faces, new friends, and new ideas to keep our community moving forward.

Thanks for visiting the MonroeCounty.gov! Feel free to contact us to let us know what you think.

About County Executive Adam J. Bello

Upon taking office as County Executive in 2020, Bello and his new administration immediately faced the COVID pandemic and its many challenges that are still being dealt with today. Under his leadership, Bello oversaw the distribution of millions of COVID tests and pieces of personal protective equipment to contain the virus, while deploying mass vaccination sites for hundreds of thousands of residents. He also took a leadership role in keeping our schools open with proper safety protocols in place.

Bello helped support small businesses that struggled through the pandemic by providing much needed relief in the form of grants and loans. With healthcare system leaders, he convened a community effort to ensure stabilization of local hospitals through multiple restrictions and healthcare worker shortages.

Bello also made good on his promise to address the opioid epidemic by appointing the county’s first Director of Addiction Services, and launching the eight-member program known as the Monroe County Improving Addiction Coordination Team, or IMPACT. The team has already responded to hundreds of calls for help, connecting people suffering from addiction with life-saving resources.  

Now, Bello is looking to lead Monroe County past the pandemic and into recovery – focusing on public safety, public health, economic development and infrastructure.