Telecommunications/Utilities
Local telecommunications service is provided through Qwest Communications. Qwest is continually evolving its broadband applications and services and geographical reach to meet the growing demands of business and industry. They have completed their initial DSL rollout and can provide DS3 alternate self-healing routes of fully redundant protection for local loop service and central office connectivity. Long distance services are available from all major providers.
The Onvoy network maintains a physically redundant OC-48 fiber ring, kept a minimum of fifty feet apart between Fargo and Grand Forks and routing from Fargo through Minneapolis. Dakota Carrier Network additionally provides fiber running west from Grand Forks through Bismarck and back to Fargo, providing alternate routes and ensuring fully-redundant, non-interrupted service.
Grand Forks also continues to benefit from steady improvements to the community's overall bandwidth infrastructure. Midcontinent Communications digital cable, citywide build-out and new level of two-way broadband services came on-line early in 2002 and locally-based Grand Forks Wireless currently provides home and small business with high-speed, fixed/wireless hybrid data services. Polar Communications also provides broadband wireless service to customers in Grand Forks.
Electricity and Natural Gas
Xcel Energy and Nodak Electric Cooperative provide energy sources and services to our community. The average cost for industrial natural gas users is $14.00 per mcf. Specific rates based on a company's actual usage are quoted directly to the customer. Similarly, electric rates are determined on usage and customer-by-customer basis. Average costs for a light commercial/industrial user is $0.03 per Kw.
Water, Wastewater and Garbage
The City of Grand Forks provides water, sewer and waste removal. Rates are established by usage. In general, rates for water are $2.50 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer treatment costs based on 1,000 gallons are $12.72. Waste removal rates range from $249.60 per dump for a 40 square yard box to $257.50 for a 40 square yard box with a compactor.
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