Building Rochester’s Clean Energy Product Manufacturing Hub
Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, NextCorps is leading the charge in transforming Rochester into a clean energy manufacturing hub, rejuvenating under-resourced communities, and building a sustainable future.
Why Rochester?
Choose Rochester for Clean Energy Manufacturing
Rochester is a prime destination for clean energy manufacturing, thanks to its unique blend of available resources and innovation activities.
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Strategic Location - Rochester offers a wide range of industrial properties, supported by advanced infrastructure and proximity to major transportation networks, making it an ideal hub for clean energy manufacturing.
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Skilled Workforce - Through partnerships with a wide range of educational and training organizations, Rochester ensures a steady pipeline of professionals and technicians skilled in clean energy technologies. Alongside institutions like RIT and MCC, we collaborate with BOCES, YAMTEP, RTMA, ITEC, and various unions to provide training across both degree and non-degree tracks. This approach offers pathways into skilled trades that don’t require a college degree, preparing talent in fields essential to clean energy manufacturing and ensuring companies have access to top-tier expertise across all skill levels.
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Support and Growth Resources - The MAKE IT grant, along with support from NextCorps and Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), provides clean energy manufacturers with technical assistance, location scouting, and workforce development resources tailored to their needs.
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Sustainability and Innovation - Rochester is leading clean energy, integrating sustainable practices into the region’s manufacturing ecosystem, and driving innovation in solar, wind, hydrogen, and energy storage technologies.
These efforts are just a few of the ways that demonstrate Rochester’s dedication to sustainability and innovation, which are working to boost clean energy usage, bring emerging climate technologies to market, and create a progressive hub for businesses that want to make a meaningful environmental impact while fostering economic growth.
The Ecosystem
Partnering for Clean Energy Growth
The achievements of the Rochester Clean Energy Manufacturing Hub result from the collaborative efforts of NextCorps, Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), and dedicated partners. The advisory board identified five critical areas requiring focused attention and established workgroups for each area. These groups are collectively working to attract manufacturers, improve infrastructure, develop a skilled workforce, engage the community, and ensure long-term sustainability. This initiative aims to position Rochester as a leading center for clean energy.
Manufacturers:
A contract manufacturing business in Rochester providing job opportunities for people with and without disabilities. ArcWorks offers high-quality manufacturing services while promoting inclusivity in the workforce.
A Rochester-based manufacturer helping global agricultural communities repurpose food waste for sustainable growing practices, making a positive environmental impact through its innovative manufacturing processes.
A locally rooted clean energy company developing cost-effective solar solutions to combat climate change. Its mission is to strengthen the local community by generating clean energy.
With its 400,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing campus, PEKO is providing clean energy manufacturers with comprehensive production services, including CNC machining, sheet metal work, welding, and cleanroom assembly.
A leader in building the green hydrogen economy through sustainable energy solutions that help reduce carbon footprints, improve productivity, and lower operational costs.
Manufacturing Support:
GRE is dedicated to attracting new capital investments and creating jobs in the Greater Rochester area. They work closely with manufacturers to drive economic growth and wealth creation in the region.
An Avangrid company providing electricity and natural gas services across a nine county New York region, ensuring manufacturers have reliable and safe utilities to power their operations. RG&E plays a key role in integrating sustainable energy practices into manufacturing facilities.
A non-profit organization helping technology companies grow. As the Manufacturing Extension Partner for the Finger Lakes Region, NextCorps also provides technical assistance and support to clean energy manufacturers.
An association promoting innovation and growth within the local manufacturing community by partnering with industry, academia, and government to support technological advancements and manufacturing expansion.
A university center helping New York State manufacturers apply advanced technologies to gain competitive business advantages and develop sustainable manufacturing practices that drive growth.
A hardware business incubator providing services to early- and mid-stage startups, helping them scale their operations and become profitable businesses in the clean energy and manufacturing sectors.
Educational Organizations:
MCC offers a wide range of programs, from building trades to engineering degrees, through their FWD center, providing training that prepares students for careers in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
A center providing advocacy, business advisement, and education for small- and medium-sized enterprises, helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses in the clean energy sector.
U of R is committed to working with underserved populations through the Office of Government and Community Relations, which connects decision-makers with the university’s resources to drive community impact and economic growth.
Young Adult Manufacturing Training Employment Program (YAMTEP)
YAMTEP offers manufacturing training services to young adults in Rochester, providing them with the skills needed to enter the local clean energy and manufacturing workforce.
Community-Based Organizations:
An organization promoting opportunities for low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient and offering essential support services and economic empowerment programs.
Career centers providing employment and training services focused on job placement and workforce readiness, especially in clean energy and manufacturing sectors.
Driving positive change in the community through research, data insights, and collaboration, helping ensure that clean energy initiatives benefit all members of the Rochester region.
Co-working space dedicated to supporting low- and no-tech businesses that are focused on revitalizing and growing the economy in downtown Rochester.
A coalition committed to addressing the systemic causes of poverty in Rochester, and ensuring the clean energy sector offers equitable job opportunities and pathways out of poverty.
Unions:
A collaboration between IBEW Local 86 and the Rochester chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) providing training for electricians and equips them with the skills needed for electrical work in clean energy industries.
Represents laborers in the Finger Lakes region, playing an essential role in providing skilled labor for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects related to clean energy.
How We Operate
NextCorps established an advisory board with partners to guide the development of Rochester’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Hub. The advisory board identified five key areas essential to success and setup workgroups. Through collaboration and targeted efforts, these groups are driving the outcomes that will shape a sustainable future for clean energy manufacturing in Rochester.
Companies Workgroup
This workgroup focuses on removing barriers to locating here and engaging clean energy manufacturers to establish operations in Rochester. GRE recruits established companies, while NextCorps attracts early-stage manufacturers through climate tech programs. Team members review potential obstacles and collaborate on solutions to streamline each company’s entry into the region.
Facilities and Utilities Workgroup
This workgroup identifies and evaluates sites suitable for clean energy manufacturing and assesses infrastructure needs to support sustainable energy use. A potential subgroup is exploring alternative clean energy sources beyond traditional grid access to meet manufacturers’ needs more efficiently.
Interaction and Impact Workgroup
This workgroup collaborates with local agencies to identify existing programs that support employer and employee needs. It aims to highlight employers who prioritize equitable hiring and retention practices, ensuring under-resourced communities have access to quality job opportunities in clean energy.
Skills and Education Workgroup
This workgroup evaluates existing educational resources and identifies gaps (e.g. childcare, transportation) to ensure all community members can access training for clean energy jobs. Currently, the team is exploring educational pathways to meet GreenSpark’s needs for solar installer training programs.
Community Workgroup
This workgroup develops and tests marketing content aimed at educating community members on clean energy’s importance and job opportunities. Outreach strategies include connecting with schools, childcare centers, barbershops, churches, libraries, and other grassroots organizations to raise awareness.
Phases of Development
Attract, Transform, and Grow
The Rochester Clean Energy Manufacturing Hub is being established through a systematic, phased strategy to draw in manufacturers, enhance the region’s infrastructure, and promote sustained growth within clean energy sectors. This approach guarantees that Rochester’s resources are utilized to their maximum potential while creating a sustainable future for the community.
Get Involved
Help Shape the Future
Rochester is at the forefront of a clean energy transformation, and we invite businesses, community members, and organizations to be a part of this exciting journey. Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to expand into sustainable energy, a community member interested in job opportunities, or an organization ready to support clean energy initiatives, there’s a place for you in this movement.
Together, we can drive innovation, create local jobs, and build a more sustainable future for Rochester.