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Overview of Grand Forks Region Resources
Grand Forks and the surrounding region have a diversified and vibrant business environment.
The leading economic sector in terms of employment continues to be government representing over 22% of the workforce. This sector's significance is in part due to the presence of the University of North Dakota. The retail sector employs about 17% of the workforce and health care services 15%. The manufacturing sector employs just over 5% of the workforce.
An emerging sector in the Grand Forks and Upper Great Plains region is Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). UAS are high altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles designed to provide on the ground field agents with high resolution, near-real-time surveillance imagery of large geographic areas
UAS is in its first generation, and with opportunities so vast, Grand Forks is working to become the hub of UAS activity with open air space, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, and UND UAS Center for Training, Education, and Research.
Underemployment continues to be a self-reported issue for the labor force and correspondingly, an opportunity for new and expanding businesses to retain qualified workers. Several private employment agencies assist businesses in recruiting their workforce and Job Service North Dakota hosts a regional office in Grand Forks with similar assistance.
Primary sector businesses, those companies selling their goods or services outside the regional trade area, may qualify for expansion assistance through a number of tailored programs. There are state programs that provide training grants to companies adding new employees or new positions. The State of North Dakota has several low-interest loan programs and a program that offers subordinated debt and equity investments for qualified companies.
The Grand Forks Growth Fund is a local sales tax funded economic development fund that offers financing and in some cases equity for qualified, expanding businesses. Declining tax
abatements may be granted by the City of Grand Forks or Grand Forks County for qualified businesses. Construction projects may be steered through the City's review and permitting processes by the Urban Development staff or by a company's architect and engineering firm.
Regional Business Spotlights
The following are brief informational spotlights of companies and organizations that enhance the Grand Forks region. A new spotlight appears the fourth Saturday of each month in the Grand Forks Herald.
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