Mayor and Carballada hold ribbon cutting for 1,550 s/f insurance agency

Mayor Robert Duffy and city economic development department commissioner Carlos Carballada held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Jackie Ortiz State Farm Insurance Agency at 225 Alexander St. Ortiz leased the 1,550 s/f space, which includes 1,050 s/f on the first floor and 500 s/f in the basement. The listing agent was Park Ave. Realty, who also brokered the lease. The owner of the property is Singer Realty. The agency, which generates $1.4 million in sales, is located between the Park Ave. neighborhood and the Monroe Ave. commercial strip. The new office is a full-service insurance agency, with three full-time employees and offers the convenience of bilingual services (Spanish). "We are delighted that Jackie Ortiz has chosen an area near downtown for her agency's new location," said Duffy. "This site will allow more city residents to benefit from the excellent quality of service Ortiz has already established." "We are honored by the belief in our city that our business partners have shown by growing their companies here," said Carballada. "It is, therefore, our highest priority to provide the best customer service possible to each and every one of them as part of Rochester's on-going revitalization efforts." "My vision is to develop strong, lasting relationships, consistently improving families' lives by providing expert advice and sharing our resources," said Ortiz, who has made private investments of more than $15,000 in office renovations. The city's economic development department also provided the agency with assistance. Ortiz is a long-time city resident and now lives close to her new office. Ortiz and her associates often give presentations through Pathstone (formerly known as Rural Opportunities), IBERO and the Early Childhood Center.