BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 9, 2026) – The City of Rochester, Indiana has selected Retail Strategies, the premiere retail recruitment and economic development consulting firm, to develop and execute a comprehensive retail recruitment strategy on behalf of the city. The partnership will focus on attracting new retail and restaurant tenants to Rochester’s prime commercial corridors, with particular emphasis on the U.S. 31 and State Road 25 interchange area.
Rochester is a community on the move. With more than 260 new housing units coming online in the next 6 to 12 months, a developing industrial park with its first shell building underway, and a downtown that is beginning to thrive, the city presents a compelling story for retailers and developers evaluating their next market entry. The city has also identified the need for a hotel with conference center facilities as a top priority, supported by a Hotel Feasibility Study, which local leaders believe will serve as a catalyst for broader retail growth.
“Rochester is at an exciting inflection point,” said Mayor Trent Odell. “We have significant growth happening across housing, industry, and our lake community, and our downtown is gaining real momentum. Our goal is to grow the pie for the entire community, making sure retail economic development gets the same focus and attention as every other aspect of what makes Rochester a great place to live.”
Retail Strategies will work to identify and recruit retailers aligned with Rochester’s community profile and growth trajectory, including restaurant concepts, shopping options, and hospitality development. The city offers a flexible incentive environment with potential abatements, TIF rebates, and infrastructure support evaluated on a project-by-project basis. Most key sites in the market are already zoned for retail development, reducing barriers for incoming tenants and developers.
“Mayor Odell is exactly the kind of leader that makes retail recruitment work,” said Sarah Beth Stewart, Vice President of Retail Strategies. “He is business friendly, collaborative, and laser focused on bringing the retail and restaurant options his residents are asking for. Rochester has real momentum right now with strong residential growth, motivated property owners ready to work with retailers, and a community that is ready for what comes next. We are excited to help build on that foundation.”
Retail Strategies will begin the discovery and recruitment process immediately, leveraging its national retailer relationships and proprietary market data to identify concepts that align with Rochester’s growth profile and the preferences of its residents.
About Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies is the national expert in community development and retail economic development. Our mission is to provide the real estate expertise, tools, and human effort that position deserving towns as alluring locations for national businesses and destinations for tourism and quality-of-life amenities. We confidently pursue this mission by delivering unparalleled customer service as a unified team with unmatched real estate and community development expertise. Our activities pay a return in sales taxes, added jobs, and businesses that enhance and add to the unique qualities of your community.
