August 24, 2026 - September 9, 2026

TRACS Cohort 12 Graduates!

On Thursday, August 27, TRACS (Training Rochester Adults in Construction Skills) graduated the 12th Cohort! Twenty individuals received their 120 hour-Multi-Craft Core Curriculum from the National Building Trades, OSHA 30, Flagger and Scaffold training as well First Aid/CPR. They are fully equipped and ready to join the union construction industry.

Project granted additional $1M to convert Hotel Cadillac into lofts

The former Hotel Cadillac in downtown Rochester is moving forward with its conversion into the 42-unit Fine Arts Building Lofts, a mixed-income housing development. An additional $1 million in state funding will support critical construction and infrastructure work, including demolition, new water, storm and sewer lines, electrical and gas systems, road and sidewalk improvements, a backup generator and facade upgrades. The project previously received $6.2 million in state funding in 2025, bringing further investment to the redevelopment of the long-vacant downtown property.

EMHCS puts financial stewardship, growth on display with new $54M campus

The Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School has opened a new $54 million secondary campus on Joseph Avenue, marking a major expansion for Rochester’s only K-12 bilingual charter school. The new facility, designed by SWBR and built by Hamilton Stern Construction, combines new construction with the restoration of a historic church and includes dedicated middle and high school spaces, science labs, a gymnasium, library and learning commons. Financed through municipal bonds, the project increases the school’s capacity from about 1,100 to 1,300 students and provides a permanent home for its growing secondary grades. The investment reflects the school’s more than 25-year growth and its continued focus on bilingual education and preparing Rochester students for opportunities after graduation.

Work begins on Rochester riverfront park revitalization

Construction is underway on an $8.2 million revitalization of Genesee Crossroads Park in downtown Rochester, with improvements planned for public spaces, lighting, landscaping, river access and connections to the Riverway Trail system. The project will also make the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge approach more accessible under the ADA and improve bicycle access. Supported by $3.75 million in state funding and $3.1 million from Empire State Development, the project is part of the city’s broader ROC the Riverway initiative and is expected to complement planned renovations at the nearby Riverside Hotel.

Genesee Brewing parent company sold to private equity firm

The parent company of Genesee Brewing has been acquired by Pennsylvania-based private equity firm Saothair Capital Partners, which plans to restore the company’s former name, North American Breweries. The Rochester-based company employs more than 700 people and owns brands including Genesee, Labatt, Seagram’s Escapes and Lipton Hard Iced Tea. Saothair says it plans to continue investing in the Genesee Brewery and its brands, building on recent upgrades such as a new brewhouse, fermentation equipment and a $28 million high-speed canning line. The acquisition brings new leadership and another change in ownership for the historic Rochester brewery, which has been operating for more than 140 years.

The Lowe's Foundation wants to train 1 million craft workers

The Lowe’s Foundation has launched the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition, a partnership of more than 75 companies and organizations aimed at training 1 million new skilled trades workers by 2035. The initiative will focus on expanding proven training programs, changing perceptions around careers in the trades and improving connections between training and employment. The effort comes as the construction industry faces a significant labor shortage, with Associated Builders and Contractors estimating that nearly 350,000 additional workers will be needed in 2026 alone to meet demand. Major companies including Nvidia, AT&T, Bank of America, General Motors, DEWALT and Duke Energy are participating, adding to a growing wave of private-sector investment in workforce development and skilled trades training.

State Senator Hinchey Joins With Labor Leaders ‘To Urge’ Governor Hochul ‘To Sign The AI Labor Information Bill’

New York lawmakers and labor leaders are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the AI Labor Information Act, which would require larger and publicly traded businesses to report annually on how artificial intelligence is affecting their hiring and workforce practices. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Harry Bronson, passed both houses during the 2026 legislative session and would create a statewide dataset tracking AI’s impact on employment. Supporters say the information could help New York better understand workforce changes and prepare for retraining and upskilling as AI adoption grows.

City shares details about ‘Restore the Shore’ project

Rochester is moving forward with its “Restore the Shore” project at the former Vacuum Oil site, which aims to transform the area through new parkland, shoreline improvements and future development opportunities as part of the Roc the Riverway and Vacuum Oil Brownfield Opportunity Area initiatives. The Genesee River Trail has been partially closed while the city addresses soil and groundwater contamination at the site. A public bid is expected in spring 2027, with construction planned for 2027–2028, making the project a significant upcoming investment in Rochester’s waterfront and brownfield redevelopment.

Rochester labor leaders mark Labor Day, urge stronger worker protections

Labor leaders in Rochester used a Labor Day press conference to highlight the strength of organized labor while raising concerns about how AI, robotics and other emerging technologies could affect jobs across industries. Leaders emphasized the need for thoughtful regulation and a gradual transition so workers and the economy have time to adjust, while also calling for advanced technologies to be developed and manufactured in the U.S. The event also featured Emily Phoenix of George Eastman Museum Workers United, whose bargaining unit recently began its union campaign. The discussion comes amid broader economic concerns, including rising costs and a slight increase in unemployment across Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse.

I-590 bridge project hits major milestone in Brighton

The I-590 bridge replacement project in Brighton has reached a major construction milestone with crews installing the first of eight girders for the new northbound bridge. About five months into the project, crews have completed much of the concrete substructure and will now focus on the bridge deck and surrounding roadway, with the northbound side expected to be finished in November. The southbound bridges are scheduled to begin construction in April 2027, with lessons from the first phase expected to help crews work more efficiently. The overall project will replace the I-590 bridges over Monroe Avenue and Allen’s Creek Road.

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