Micron’s delayed opening of its first two chipmaking factories outside Syracuse by two to three years was a disappointment for Central New York, where job creation and economic development are top priorities. Fortunately, there’s one local job creator that’s thriving in downtown Rochester: The Strong National Museum of Play. Having completed a $75 million expansion in 2023, this nerdy, unique curator of all things fun sits in a revitalized “Neighborhood of Play” that includes a new hotel, parking garage and market-rate housing.

Strong has since brought in $160 million in added tourism revenue, plus more than 120 new jobs into the region, according to a press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. Nearly 1 million visitors are expected by 2026, up from a high of 600,000 reported befo

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