key indicators point to thriving region

Key indicators of the economic and business development opportunities in the Grand Forks region point to the region’s diversity and vitality. We are recognized in national rankings for numerous attributes including:

• #23:  Forbes Best Small Places for Business & Careers, June 2012
• #9:  Most secure places to live, 2011
• #20:  Most secure places to live (small towns), Farmers Insurance Group 2010
• #139:  Most green cities
• Named one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best, 2011
• Short commute time – 12.4 minutes (national average, 28 minutes), U.S. Census
• Coldest city in lower 48 states
• 97 of 100 best places to live (2010), CNN Money
• #13: (among small metro areas) best places to launch small business start—up, CNN Money
• #30:  Best Cities for Job Growth (Small sized cities), newgeography.com 2011

The State of North Dakota is also noted for its outstanding business and family climate:

• #3: Forbes Best States for Business, 2012
• #1: Best States for Young People, MoneyRates.com 2012
• #5: Top States for Business, CNBC 2012 
• Best state for creating jobs, Gallup: 2011, 2010, 2009
• #4: Forbes Best States for Business & Careers, 2011
• #11: Forbes Best States for Business & Careers, 2010
• #3:  Safest State, 2010