08.24.26 Planning & Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Monroe County Legislature's Planning and Economic Development Committee met on August 24, 2026, to discuss and approve contracts related to economic development activities. Two key contract authorizations were approved: one with the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) and another with the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation (MCIDC) for reimbursement of economic development staff services and office expenses. The discussion highlighted the sunsetting of a small loan program previously funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, which had provided administrative reimbursements. To offset this loss, the committee agreed to split a $25,000 reimbursement between COMIDA and MCIDC. Committee members also requested data on the effectiveness and outcomes of these economic development programs, including the relationship and impact of Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) and its role in supporting key industry sectors such as advanced manufacturing, optics, photonics, and food and beverage manufacturing. The committee acknowledged the influence of the Micron project in Syracuse on regional economic development efforts and GRE's involvement in maximizing related opportunities. Both contract referrals were passed unanimously.