Rochester Takes a Big Step to Boost Local Businesses

Rochester is now part of a nationwide project to make it easier for small businesses to succeed. The city was picked to join the Regulatory Justice Initiative, which aims to remove unnecessary rules that slow down entrepreneurs. This project is led by the Mayors Innovation Project and Cities Work at the Institute for Justice. Mayor Kim Norton is excited about this opportunity. She believes that small businesses are essential to Rochester's economy and culture. By joining this initiative, the city hopes to make it simpler and more affordable for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. This aligns with Rochester's goal of creating a fair and thriving local economy. A team of local leaders will work on this project. The team includes Mayor Norton, Irene Woodward from Community Development, Amanda Leightner from the Collider Foundation, and Shawn Fagan from the Rochester Downtown Alliance. They will collaborate with national experts and other cities to review and improve local regulations. Each city will receive tailored recommendations to streamline their business environments. Only six cities were chosen for this first round of the initiative. Alongside Rochester, cities like Hartford, Honolulu, and Laredo are also participating. The project will run until 2026, and the findings will be shared nationwide to help other cities support their small businesses. This initiative is crucial because small businesses are the backbone of any community. However, outdated rules and complex procedures often make it difficult for entrepreneurs to get started. By addressing these issues, Rochester aims to create a more welcoming environment for new businesses.