Located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York, just north of I-90, the Greater Rochester, NY Region is a community of more than 1 million people. Rochester is the state's third largest city and is central to a region that includes some of the most beautiful, productive and valuable countryside in the Northeast.
We're justifiably proud of our region, for the quality of our workforce, as well as the quality of the work they perform. Rochester has the highest number of patents per worker in the United States, and among the inventions we've brought to the world are the camera, the copy machine, the lenses used in the Mars Rover, the power module for Chevy Equinox fuel cell cars and even apple juice.
An emphasis on education, plus an unusually large higher education sector, ensures a technically-sophisticated and reliable labor force. New firms can take advantage of the region's workers while enjoying competitive labor, land and real estate costs, and some of the most affordable housing in the US.
Our location in Western NY is a competitive advantage because Rochester is in close proximity to major East Coast markets without the high cost associated with a major metropolitan area. One-third of the US and Canadian population is within 500 miles of Rochester, NY.
In addition to our proximity to major markets, the Rochester, NY Region also is in close proximity to an abundant supply of fresh, reliable water. Approximately 7% of the world's fresh water is right in our region. It's no wonder more than 100 food and beverage manufacturers are located here.
The Rochester, NY Region also offers an excellent quality of life, including nationally recognized public schools, and extensive cultural and recreational amenities. The natural beauty of the region, four distinct seasons and some of the most affordable housing in the US, combine to provide the ideal place to build a business and raise a family. It's no wonder Expansion Management magazine ranked Rochester #1 for quality of life among large metropolitan areas.