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 Maggie Brooks
On January 1, 2004, Maggie Brooks was sworn in as Monroe County’s fifth County Executive. She is the first woman to hold this position.
Maggie is well known in the Rochester area from her many years as a television news anchor and radio reporter. She previously served as County Clerk and as Monroe County Legislator for the 17th District. Maggie has earned a reputation as a dedicated and respected elected official.
Her inclusive, collaborative leadership style has brought about a new era in County government. Maggie has established positive and cooperative relationships with the City of Rochester and local towns and villages.
Maggie inherited extreme challenges when she took office, including a significant budget deficit and the exploding costs of unfunded State mandates. She created a citizen Budget Advisory Team to work with her in developing creative, out of the box solutions to restore the fiscal stability of Monroe County.
Maggie’s top priority has been strengthening the local economy. She established an Economic Development Strategy Team, convening key community stakeholders to improve Monroe County’s economic strategy and attract new businesses and jobs.
Recognizing that a key to economic strength is a community vitality, Maggie has been a driving force behind local projects like Renaissance Square, that will help create a more vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, greater cultural and recreational opportunities, and a better quality of life.
Maggie has brought an energizing new vision to County government, making it her priority to involve the entire community in shaping the future of Monroe County; a future, she believes, is now more promising than ever.
About James P. Smith
Deputy County Executive
James P. Smith is Monroe County’s Deputy County Executive, a position he has held since October 2005.
He previously served as Executive Director (July 2004 to October 2005) and Deputy Executive Director of the Monroe County Water Authority. Prior to joining the Water Authority, he was the Director of Communications for Monroe County.
Mr. Smith is a first generation Irish-American and aptly resides in the “Paddy Hill” area of Greece. He is a lifelong Greece resident and was an elected Greece Town Councilman from 1998 through 2005.
He received his Bachelors degree from SUNY Oswego, serves on the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial Board, and is a member of the Rochester Rotary and the Greece Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the American Water Works Association.
Mr. Smith is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys skiing, snowshoeing, golfing, canoeing, hunting, fishing and hiking.
About Jerry Helfer
Assistant County Executive
Jerry J. Helfer is Assistant County Executive of Monroe County, a position he has held since January 1, 2004.
He previously served in Monroe County government as Assistant Deputy County Clerk for Downtown Operations (1998-2003) and, from 1996 to 1998, worked on the staff of New York State Senator James S. Alesi, most recently as Special Advisor. He also served as Legislative Director in the Majority Office of the Monroe County Legislature from 1992 to 1996.
Jerry has been a member of the Greece Town Board since 1998, representing the residents of the Third Ward as their elected Town Councilman. He is also a member of the Greece Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Rotary Club.
Jerry is a lifelong Greece resident. He graduated from Greece Olympia High School and earned his B.A. degree from Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Jerry and his wife, Devan, reside on Rye Road in Greece.
