Grand Forks region heart of Red River Valley agricultural enterprise

The Red River Valley boasts some of United States’ richest farmland. The agricultural sector has historically been a catalyst for the Grand Forks region’s growth and development. Crops grown in the region support many businesses and manufacturing enterprises. With the continuing world-wide population growth, expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, demands for food and agriculturally-driven products, is continuing to increase.

In February 2012, the Grand Forks Region EDC was awarded an APUC grant to complete an extensive study and assessment of agri-business opportunities in a four county area.

The project, now underway, will

• prepare an industry sector overview to include an inventory of assets and resources: businesses, producers, processors, manufacturers, marketing capacity, logistical support
• identify strengths and challenges facing agri-business regionally
• analyze competing regions/states
• define a regional strategy for growing and diversifying the agri-business industry sector
  

The Grand Forks Advantage

• Nearly 6,000 agribusiness jobs in the region
  
• 37% of manufacturing jobs in the region are ag-related