Grand Forks, North Dakota
Encyclopedia
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota
(after Fargo
and Bismarck
) and the county seat
of Grand Forks County
. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461. Grand Forks, along with its twin city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota
, forms the center of the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is often called Greater Grand Forks
or The Grand Cities.
Located on the western banks of the Red River of the North
in a flat region known as the Red River Valley
, the city is prone to flooding and was struck by the devastating Red River Flood of 1997
. Originally called Les Grandes Fourches by French fur traders, Grand Forks was founded in 1870 by steamboat captain Alexander Griggs
and incorporated on February 22, 1881. Its location at the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River
gives the city its name.
Historically dependent on local agriculture, the city's economy now encompasses higher education, defense, health care, manufacturing, food processing, and scientific research. Grand Forks is served by Grand Forks International Airport
and Grand Forks Air Force Base
, while the city's University of North Dakota
is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The Alerus Center
and Ralph Engelstad Arena
host athletic and other events, while the North Dakota Museum of Art
and Chester Fritz Auditorium
are the city's largest cultural venues.
Prior to settlement by Europeans or Americans, the area where the city now sits – at the forks of the Red River
and Red Lake River
– had been an important meeting and trading point for Native Americans
. Early French explorers, fur trappers, and traders called the area Les Grandes Fourches meaning "The Grand Forks". By the 1740s, Les Grandes Fourches was an important trading post
for French fur trappers. A U.S. post office was established on the site on June 15, 1870, and the name was changed to "Grand Forks". Alexander Griggs
, a steamboat captain, is regarded as "The Father of Grand Forks". Griggs' steamboat froze in the Red River on a voyage in late 1870, forcing the captain and his crew to spend the winter camping at Grand Forks. Griggs platted the community in 1875 and Grand Forks was officially incorporated on February 22, 1881. The city quickly grew after the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1880 and the Northern Pacific Railway
in 1887. In 1883, the University of North Dakota
was established, six years before North Dakota was formally recognized as an independent state born from the Dakota Territory
.
The first half of the 20th century saw steady growth and the development of new neighborhoods farther south and west of Downtown Grand Forks
. The 1920s saw the construction of the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator
on the north side of the city. In 1954, Grand Forks was chosen as the site for an Air Force
base. Grand Forks Air Force Base
brought thousands of new jobs and residents to the community. The military base and the University of North Dakota would become integral pieces of the city's economy. The second half of the 20th century saw Grand Forks spreading further away from the older part of town. Interstate 29
was built on the western side of the city and two enclosed shopping malls – South Forks Plaza
and Columbia Mall
– were built on the south side.
The city was struck by a severe flood in 1997, causing extensive damage. (but only one death.) With Fargo
upstream from the bulk of the waters and Winnipeg
with its flood control structures, Grand Forks became the hardest hit city in the Red River Valley
. During the height of the flooding, a major fire also destroyed eleven buildings in the downtown area. Many neighborhoods had to be demolished to make way for a new levee
system, which was ultimately completed ten years later. The land bordering the Red River was turned into a massive park known as the Greater Grand Forks Greenway. Since the flood, Grand Forks has seen both public and private developments throughout town. Two new, large sports venues opened in 2001, including the Alerus Center
and the Ralph Engelstad Arena
. In 2007, the Winnipeg
-based Canad Inns
hotel chain opened a 13-story hotel and waterpark adjacent to the Alerus Center. By 2007 Grand Forks had a larger population than it did before the 1997 flood, and area employment and taxable sales had also surpassed pre-flood levels.
Grand Forks is located 74 miles (119.1 km) north of the Fargo-Moorhead
area and 145 miles (233.4 km) south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Grand Forks is situated on the western bank of the Red River of the North
in an area known as the Red River Valley
. The term "forks" refers to the forking of the Red River with the Red Lake River
located near downtown Grand Forks. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.7 km²), all land. Since it is in one of the flattest parts of the world, the city has few differences in elevation. There are no lakes in the city limits of Grand Forks, but the meandering Red River and the English Coulee flow through the community and provide some break in the terrain. The Red River Valley is the result of an ancient glacier carving its way south during the last Ice Age. Once the glacier receded, it formed a glacial lake called Lake Agassiz
. The ancient beaches can still be seen as rolling hills west of the city.
Grand Forks has several distinct neighborhoods. The area adjacent to the Red River developed first so this is where some of the oldest neighborhoods, including the downtown area, can be found. The area between downtown and the University of North Dakota
campus was another early growth area and historic properties can be found here as well.
Downtown Grand Forks
is the oldest part of the city and thus contains many historic buildings. It is the governmental center of the city and county. It is used as a gathering place for large events and festivals. Also, a farmer's market is held every Saturday (9AM to 2PM) from mid-June to mid-September in the Town Square on the corner of 3rd Street S. and DeMers Avenue.
Recently, city leaders and developers have announced plans to convert older buildings into high-end condos
and apartment
s, and to construct new buildings for the same purpose. Located directly south of downtown, the streets of the Near Southside Historic District
are lined with classic houses. Reeves Drive was once one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in the city and, to this day, it is still the home of many old mansions exhibiting several unique architectural styles. Also in this neighborhood are areas of original granitoid paving, several historic churches, and the Lincoln Drive Park. The Near Southside neighborhood was granted the historic district designation by the National Register of Historic Places
.
In general, the newer neighborhoods of Grand Forks are in the southern and western parts of town. The 32nd Avenue South corridor has been the commercial center of the city since the Columbia Mall
opened in 1978. Many big box stores and restaurants are now located along the avenue. A large strip mall, called the Grand Forks Marketplace, opened in 2001 near the Columbia Mall. University Village
is a new commercial district that was built on vacant lands owned by the University of North Dakota. The centerpiece of the Village is the Ralph Engelstad Arena
, which is used by the University's Fighting Sioux hockey team. All the buildings in the Village have been built in a similar style to buildings on the nearby UND campus. The area now includes restaurants and stores, as well as the University bookstore. In 2006, a new Wellness Center for UND students opened on the Village's west side.
and its distance from both mountains and oceans, the city has a humid continental climate
(Köppen
(Dfb)), USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
4. This type of climate is distinguished by four very distinct seasons and great variation in temperatures over very short periods of time. As there are no nearby mountain ranges or bodies of water to ameliorate the climatic conditions, Grand Forks lies exposed to numerous weather systems including bitterly cold Arctic high pressure systems. The city experiences long, cold, and snowy winters. In sharp contrast, summers are often warm to hot and often quite humid with frequent thunderstorms. Although warm weather normally ends soon after Labor Day, a few warm days can, on rare occasions, be seen as late as October. Spring and autumn are short and highly variable seasons. Record temperature extremes range from -60 F on January 30, 2004, to 121 °F (49 °C) on July 6, 1936.
, there were 49,321 people, 19,677 households, and 11,058 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,563.0 per square mile (989.8/km2). There were 20,838 housing units at an average density of 1,082.8 per square mile (418.2/km2).
The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 0.9% African American, 2.8% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races
, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population. The top six ancestry groups in the city were Norwegian (36.4%), German (34.7%), Irish (10.6%), French (6.5%), Polish
(6.2%), English (6.1%). There were 21.4% of the population under the age of 18, 22.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
Of the 19,677 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.0. The median income for a household in the city was $34,194, and the median income for a family was $47,491. Males had a median income of $30,703 versus $21,573 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,395. About 9.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey
, the racial composition was as follows:
Source:
The top five European ancestry groups were the following:
Source:
, located in the heart of the city, is the largest employer in the metropolitan area. Grand Forks Air Force Base
, just west of the city, employs a large number of civilian workers in addition to its enlisted personnel. Altru Health System
is the largest private employer in Grand Forks.
Major manufacturers in Grand Forks include wind turbine manufacturer LM Glasfiber
and small aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Design
. Major food producers include potato processor J. R. Simplot Company
and the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator
which is the largest flour mill in the United States. Amazon.com
and SEI Information Technologies both operate call centers in Grand Forks. Other large private employers in the city include the locally owned Alerus Financial
branch of banks, Home of Economy
, and the locally owned Hugo's
chain of supermarkets.
The retail and service sector is also an important part of the economy. The historic center of shopping in Grand Forks was the downtown
area. Today, downtown is home to small shops and restaurants and south Grand Forks has become the major retail district in the city. Grand Forks has three large shopping centers. The oldest, Grand Cities Mall
, is located on South Washington Street and contains mainly small, locally owned stores as well as a Kmart
. With about 80 stores, the area's largest indoor mall is Columbia Mall
which is anchored by Macy's
, Sears
, J.C. Penney
, and a small food court. The newest major shopping center in the city is the Grand Forks Marketplace power center mall which features SuperTarget
, Best Buy
, Lowe's
, Gordmans
, and several smaller stores. Depending on the relative strength of the Canadian dollar
versus the American dollar, the Greater Grand Forks area attracts large numbers of tourist shoppers from Manitoba
and especially from Winnipeg.
Community leaders have long seen UND as an "economic engine" for the city. Besides its regular faculty, it also has business-like components such as the Energy and Environmental Research Center
. UND hosts a technology incubator called the Center for Innovation. More recently, the University has been working to commercialize its research. A major thrust in that direction is the construction of a research park on the western fringes of the campus. Another potential economic opportunity for the city is the addition of the unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) mission to Grand Forks Air Force Base
. The base currently hosts KC-135 Stratotanker
s, which will gradually be transferred to other bases around the country.
, Grand Forks offers a variety of arts and cultural events. The North Dakota Museum of Art
, located on the UND campus, brings many nationally touring exhibits to Grand Forks as well as the work of regional artists. In addition to the Museum of Art, UND offers other gallery space for student art. UND also has active Theater Arts and Music departments. Students stage theater productions each year at the Burtness Theater on campus. UND's Chester Fritz Auditorium
also brings music and theater events to Grand Forks including national touring companies of Broadway musicals
.
The Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra has been performing since 1905 and the Grand Forks Master Chorale was formed in 1983. Both groups stage productions each year at various locations in the community. The North Dakota Ballet Company is headquartered in Grand Forks and often performs at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The Grand Forks City Band was formed in 1886 and still stages shows year round.
The Empire Arts Center, in downtown Grand Forks
, is home to several cultural events throughout the year. The Empire, a 1919 movie theater, was restored after the Flood of 1997
and now includes performance space, a large movie screen, a gallery, and space for artists. The Fire Hall Theatre, also located downtown, is used by community members to put on several theater productions each year. The Summer Performing Arts Company
(SPA) is a popular summer arts program for area K-12 students. SPA stages three major musicals mid-July. The Myra Museum, on Belmont Road near the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, is a small history museum with exhibits that trace local history from the Ice Age, through settlement, and into the modern age. Other buildings on the Myra Museum grounds include the original 1868 Grand Forks Post Office, a 1917 one room school, and the historic Campbell House.
College sports are popular in Grand Forks, with an intense following for the University of North Dakota
Fighting Sioux
. The UND men's ice hockey team competes in the NCAA Division I level and has been the Frozen Four championship team seven times and the runner-up five times. The UND football
team was the 2001 NCAA Division II champion
and the 2003 runner-up. In 2006, the university announced that it would be moving its entire athletic program to Division I.
Grand Forks is home to two major indoor athletic arenas. The city-owned Alerus Center
opened in 2001. The Alerus Center is home to the Fighting Sioux football team and also plays host to a variety of other events including major concerts. The Alerus Center is the largest arena and convention center complex in the upper Midwest area. The Fighting Sioux hockey teams compete in the Ralph Engelstad Arena
, located in the University Village
district of the UND campus. "The Ralph", as it is commonly called, was funded by UND benefactor Ralph Engelstad
and opened in 2001 at a cost of over . Adjacent to the Ralph Engelstad Arena is the smaller Betty Engelstad Sioux Center
. "The Betty" is the home of the Fighting Sioux basketball
and Fighting Sioux volleyball
teams.
, established in 1905, operates 14 neighborhood parks, 28 tennis
courts, and a swimming pool. The parks include features such as playgrounds, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and picnic areas. Sertoma Park includes a Japanese garden
. The Park District also operates eleven outdoor skating rinks and indoor ice arenas: Purpur Arena, Eagles Arena, Blueline Club Arena, and Gambucci Arena. The district also owns the Center Court Fitness Club.
There are several golf course
s in the city and the surrounding area. The Park District operates the 18-hole, Arnold Palmer
-designed, links style King's Walk Golf Course and the historic, 9-hole Lincoln Golf Course. The University of North Dakota
operates the 9-hole Ray Richards Golf Course. The 18-hole Grand Forks Country Club is located directly south of the city. There are also golf courses in nearby East Grand Forks, Minnesota
and Manvel, North Dakota.
The Greater Grand Forks Greenway is a large park that runs the length of the Red River
in the city. It includes an extensive path system, large festival grounds, ski trails, and wildflower gardens. Including the Greenway, the bicycle route system in Grand Forks is over 43 miles (69.2 km) long. These paths are located in The Greenway, adjacent to major streets, and on the banks of the English Coulee. There are also two pedestrian/bike bridges that span the Red River.
is the major daily newspaper serving Grand Forks and is also the second most widely circulated newspaper in North Dakota
with a daily circulation of around 31,000. The Exponent is a weekly newspaper published in East Grand Forks, Minnesota
. The University of North Dakota
also has its own student-published newspaper called The Dakota Student, which is published twice weekly during the school year.
The major AM radio station in Grand Forks is KNOX 1310, which is a news and talk station
. The city's FM stations include NPR affiliates KUND-FM
89.3, KFJM
90.7, KQMN
91.5 and KNTN
102.7. Commercial FM stations include rock
station KJKJ
107.5; top 40 stations KKXL-FM
92.9 and KZGF 94.7; and country
stations KSNR
100.3 and KYCK
97.1.
WDAZ-TV
channel 8, an ABC
affiliate, is the only broadcast television station in Grand Forks that provides local news. All other major U.S. television networks are represented in Grand Forks from Fargo-based television stations. The cable television
provider, Midcontinent Communications
, carries several locally based cable channels such as the Fighting Sioux Sports Network
and public channels run by the University of North Dakota, City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Public Schools.
Grand Forks uses the mayor-council
model of municipal government. The mayor, who is elected every four years, has the power to oversee the daily administration of city government and to work directly with department heads to ensure the proper provision of services. The mayor of Grand Forks is obstetrician
Dr. Michael Brown
. He was first elected in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and again in 2008.
The city is divided into seven wards with each ward electing a single city council representative for a four-year term. The council meets twice a month as the council proper and its two main committees, the Finance/Development Committee and Service/Safety Committee, each meets twice a month. All these meetings are broadcast on a local cable channel.
The University of North Dakota
(UND), the oldest university and home of the only schools of medicine and law in the state, is located at Grand Forks. Enrollment is about 13,000. UND is known for its John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences which includes an Air Traffic Control Training program that in October 2009 was ranked No.1 in the nation for the second consecutive year by the FAA. UND and North Dakota State University
make up the Red River Valley Research Corridor
.
Northland Community and Technical College, a two-year school, is located across the Red River in East Grand Forks
. The University of Minnesota Crookston
is in nearby Crookston, Minnesota
.
system includes the Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base
school districts. Enrollment is about 7,600. There are twelve elementary school
s, four middle school
s, and two high school
s (Central High
and Red River High
), an alternative high school, and an adult education program. Grand Forks Public Schools is governed by a nine member board of elected representatives, separate from the city and county governments.
There are several primary schools that are not part of the public school system including the state-operated North Dakota School for the Blind. There are two Catholic school
s offering classes from kindergarten through sixth grade.
The only private high school in the metropolitan area is Sacred Heart High School
, a Catholic school, in East Grand Forks. There is a non-denominational Christian elementary and middle school operating in East Grand Forks.
(GFK, KGFK) is served by Delta Air Lines
and Allegiant Air with several daily round trips to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and weekly flights to Mesa, Arizona
, and Las Vegas, NV. A new passenger terminal is scheduled for completion in early 2011. The airport is a major distribution center for FedEx
, which conducts flights daily with Boeing 757 and Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft. The Cessna 208B Caravans transport packages to outlying areas of the state including Bismarck, ND, Minot, ND, Dickinson, ND, and Williston, ND as well as Bemidji, MN and Thief River Falls, MN. The airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, due in large measure to the presence of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
of the University of North Dakota
.
runs track in several directions in and around the city. Amtrak
passenger service on the Empire Builder
line heads westbound daily at and eastbound daily at . The Empire Builder stops at the Grand Forks Amtrak station
.
, Interstate 29
, and U.S. Highway 81. U.S. Highway 2, known as Gateway Drive in the city, runs east to west through the northern part of town and is a four lane highway. The highway is the primary connection between Grand Forks, East Grand Forks
, the Grand Forks Air Force Base
, Grand Forks International Airport
, and nearby Crookston, Minnesota
. Interstate 29 runs north to south along the western part of the city, officially multiplexed with U.S. Highway 81 in the Grand Forks area. The U.S. Highway 81 business route, Washington Street and 32nd Avenue, runs through many of the city's major commercial districts.
. Avenues are numbered in blocks north or south of DeMers Avenue – the city's historic dividing route adjacent to the rail yards. The city maintains a bus system called Cities Area Transit
, also known by the acronym CAT. The system has operated since 1926 when it was introduced to replace an earlier trolley
system. There are twelve bus routes including night service and service in the community of East Grand Forks
.
is the main provider of health care in Grand Forks and the surrounding region and is also the largest private employer in Grand Forks. Altru's 90 acres (36.4 ha) medical campus near the center of the city offers a 261-bed acute care hospital, a 34-bed rehabilitation hospital, and five clinics. Altru Hospital is the result of a 1997 merger of United Hospital (formerly Deaconess and St. Michael's Hospitals) and the Grand Forks Clinic.
Grand Forks has long had just one major healthcare provider, but recently a new medical campus, called Aurora Medical Park, has been developing on the south side of the city. Facilities in the development include the Stadter Center – a 70-bed psychiatric hospital – and a two-story clinic building. Individual spaces in the clinic building are leased out to private medical practices. In early April 2007, a proposal surfaced to build a 70-bed hospital called Aurora Hospital
on the medical campus.
Grand Forks has an active sister city
program designed to encourage cultural and economic exchanges. Grand Forks' first sister city was Ishim
in the Soviet Union
. The relationship with the Siberia
n city formally began in 1984 during the Cold War
. Sometime in the late 1990s, however, political and economic turmoil in Russia ended the relationship. While the relationship with Ishim faded, Grand Forks found a new sister in Awano
, Japan. An informal relationship began in 1994 when the school districts of both cities began exchanging students. In 1998, the two formally proclaimed themselves sister cities. The most concrete evidence of the relationship between the two is a Japanese rock garden in Grand Forks' Sertoma Park and a sculpture of an American bison
in an Awano park. However, the annexation of Awano by the larger city of Kanuma has led to the end of the sister city relationship. Grand Forks' relationship with Dickinson, North Dakota
, began in 2002, when delegations from each city visited the other. Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown
has said he thinks having friends in western North Dakota, which typically has diverging interests from eastern cities, could help at the state legislature. Sarpsborg
, Norway
, became a sister city in 2005 following several exchanges among leaders from both cities. The city became interested in building a relationship with Sarpsborg because many Grand Forks residents have Norwegian heritage.
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
(after Fargo
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
and Bismarck
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
) and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Grand Forks County
Grand Forks County, North Dakota
-National protected areas:*Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge*Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 66,109 people, 25,435 households, and 15,617 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile . There were...
. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461. Grand Forks, along with its twin city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
, forms the center of the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is often called Greater Grand Forks
Greater Grand Forks
According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the population of the Greater Grand Forks metro area was 97,260, of which 50.9% were male and 49.1% were female.-Age:* Under 5 years: 6.3%* 5–9 years: 5.5%* 10–14 years: 6.1%* 15–19 years: 9.6%...
or The Grand Cities.
Located on the western banks of the Red River of the North
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
in a flat region known as the Red River Valley
Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. It is significant in the geography of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba for its relatively fertile lands and the population centers of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnipeg...
, the city is prone to flooding and was struck by the devastating Red River Flood of 1997
Red River Flood, 1997
The Red River Flood of 1997 was a major flood that occurred in April and May 1997, along the Red River of the North in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Southern Manitoba. It was the most severe flood of the river since 1826...
. Originally called Les Grandes Fourches by French fur traders, Grand Forks was founded in 1870 by steamboat captain Alexander Griggs
Alexander Griggs
Alexander Griggs was an American steamboat captain. He is acknowledged as the founder of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota and is called "The Father of Grand Forks."...
and incorporated on February 22, 1881. Its location at the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River
Red Lake River
The Red Lake River is a river located in northwestern Minnesota. The river begins on the western side of the Lower Red Lake and flows westward. After passing through Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, and Crookston, the river merges with the Red River of the North in East Grand Forks. The total...
gives the city its name.
Historically dependent on local agriculture, the city's economy now encompasses higher education, defense, health care, manufacturing, food processing, and scientific research. Grand Forks is served by Grand Forks International Airport
Grand Forks International Airport
Grand Forks International Airport is a public airport located five miles northwest of the central business district of Grand Forks, a city in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, United States...
and Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, while the city's University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The Alerus Center
Alerus Center
The Alerus Center is an indoor arena and convention center located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The facility is owned and operated by the city of Grand Forks and opened on February 10, 2001. The arena's major tenant is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team. The arena also...
and Ralph Engelstad Arena
Ralph Engelstad Arena
For the arena with the same name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota see Ralph Engelstad Arena .For the pre-2001 arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota see Ralph Engelstad Arena ....
host athletic and other events, while the North Dakota Museum of Art
North Dakota Museum of Art
The North Dakota Museum of Art is the official art museum of the U.S. state of North Dakota. Located on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, the museum is a private not-for-profit institution...
and Chester Fritz Auditorium
Chester Fritz Auditorium
The Chester Fritz Auditorium is a performance facility on the campus of the University of North Dakota located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. "The Fritz", as it is commonly known, is used for many events including concerts, dance groups, and popular Broadway musicals...
are the city's largest cultural venues.
History
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
and Red Lake River
Red Lake River
The Red Lake River is a river located in northwestern Minnesota. The river begins on the western side of the Lower Red Lake and flows westward. After passing through Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, and Crookston, the river merges with the Red River of the North in East Grand Forks. The total...
– had been an important meeting and trading point for Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. Early French explorers, fur trappers, and traders called the area Les Grandes Fourches meaning "The Grand Forks". By the 1740s, Les Grandes Fourches was an important trading post
Trading post
A trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....
for French fur trappers. A U.S. post office was established on the site on June 15, 1870, and the name was changed to "Grand Forks". Alexander Griggs
Alexander Griggs
Alexander Griggs was an American steamboat captain. He is acknowledged as the founder of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota and is called "The Father of Grand Forks."...
, a steamboat captain, is regarded as "The Father of Grand Forks". Griggs' steamboat froze in the Red River on a voyage in late 1870, forcing the captain and his crew to spend the winter camping at Grand Forks. Griggs platted the community in 1875 and Grand Forks was officially incorporated on February 22, 1881. The city quickly grew after the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1880 and the Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
in 1887. In 1883, the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
was established, six years before North Dakota was formally recognized as an independent state born from the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
.
The first half of the 20th century saw steady growth and the development of new neighborhoods farther south and west of Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks is the original commercial center of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, the downtown neighborhood is situated near the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River. While downtown is no longer the dominant commercial area of...
. The 1920s saw the construction of the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator
North Dakota Mill and Elevator
The North Dakota Mill and Elevator is the largest flour mill in the United States. It is located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The mill is owned by the U.S. state of North Dakota and is the only state-owned milling facility in the United States....
on the north side of the city. In 1954, Grand Forks was chosen as the site for an Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
base. Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
brought thousands of new jobs and residents to the community. The military base and the University of North Dakota would become integral pieces of the city's economy. The second half of the 20th century saw Grand Forks spreading further away from the older part of town. Interstate 29
Interstate 29
Interstate 29 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern United States. I-29 runs from Kansas City, Missouri, at a junction with Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 to the Canadian border near Pembina, North Dakota, where it connects with Manitoba Highway 75 via the short Manitoba Highway 29.-Route...
was built on the western side of the city and two enclosed shopping malls – South Forks Plaza
Grand Cities Mall
The Grand Cities Mall is an enclosed shopping mall located on South Washington Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was the first enclosed shopping mall built in North Dakota, but by a quirk of fate, the second opened to the public by only six days difference. The mall covers and is anchored...
and Columbia Mall
Columbia Mall (Grand Forks)
Columbia Mall is an enclosed regional shopping mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota and is located at the intersection of 32nd Avenue South and Columbia Road.It is the largest mall within...
– were built on the south side.
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
upstream from the bulk of the waters and Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
with its flood control structures, Grand Forks became the hardest hit city in the Red River Valley
Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. It is significant in the geography of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba for its relatively fertile lands and the population centers of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnipeg...
. During the height of the flooding, a major fire also destroyed eleven buildings in the downtown area. Many neighborhoods had to be demolished to make way for a new levee
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
system, which was ultimately completed ten years later. The land bordering the Red River was turned into a massive park known as the Greater Grand Forks Greenway. Since the flood, Grand Forks has seen both public and private developments throughout town. Two new, large sports venues opened in 2001, including the Alerus Center
Alerus Center
The Alerus Center is an indoor arena and convention center located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The facility is owned and operated by the city of Grand Forks and opened on February 10, 2001. The arena's major tenant is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team. The arena also...
and the Ralph Engelstad Arena
Ralph Engelstad Arena
For the arena with the same name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota see Ralph Engelstad Arena .For the pre-2001 arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota see Ralph Engelstad Arena ....
. In 2007, the Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
-based Canad Inns
Canad Inns
Canad Inns is a chain of hotels headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The company operates nine hotel properties in the province of Manitoba and one in the U.S. state of North Dakota. In 2000, Canad Inns was named one of "Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies". In 2010 Canad Inns was named one...
hotel chain opened a 13-story hotel and waterpark adjacent to the Alerus Center. By 2007 Grand Forks had a larger population than it did before the 1997 flood, and area employment and taxable sales had also surpassed pre-flood levels.
Geography
Fargo-Moorhead
Fargo-Moorhead is a common name given to the metropolitan area comprising Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and the surrounding communities. These two cities lie on the North Dakota-Minnesota border, on opposite banks of the Red River of the North...
area and 145 miles (233.4 km) south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Grand Forks is situated on the western bank of the Red River of the North
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
in an area known as the Red River Valley
Red River Valley
The Red River Valley is a region in central North America that is drained by the Red River of the North. It is significant in the geography of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba for its relatively fertile lands and the population centers of Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnipeg...
. The term "forks" refers to the forking of the Red River with the Red Lake River
Red Lake River
The Red Lake River is a river located in northwestern Minnesota. The river begins on the western side of the Lower Red Lake and flows westward. After passing through Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, and Crookston, the river merges with the Red River of the North in East Grand Forks. The total...
located near downtown Grand Forks. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.7 km²), all land. Since it is in one of the flattest parts of the world, the city has few differences in elevation. There are no lakes in the city limits of Grand Forks, but the meandering Red River and the English Coulee flow through the community and provide some break in the terrain. The Red River Valley is the result of an ancient glacier carving its way south during the last Ice Age. Once the glacier receded, it formed a glacial lake called Lake Agassiz
Lake Agassiz
Lake Agassiz was an immense glacial lake located in the center of North America. Fed by glacial runoff at the end of the last glacial period, its area was larger than all of the modern Great Lakes combined, and it held more water than contained by all lakes in the world today.-Conception:First...
. The ancient beaches can still be seen as rolling hills west of the city.
Cityscape
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
campus was another early growth area and historic properties can be found here as well.
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks is the original commercial center of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, the downtown neighborhood is situated near the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River. While downtown is no longer the dominant commercial area of...
is the oldest part of the city and thus contains many historic buildings. It is the governmental center of the city and county. It is used as a gathering place for large events and festivals. Also, a farmer's market is held every Saturday (9AM to 2PM) from mid-June to mid-September in the Town Square on the corner of 3rd Street S. and DeMers Avenue.
Recently, city leaders and developers have announced plans to convert older buildings into high-end condos
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
and apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
s, and to construct new buildings for the same purpose. Located directly south of downtown, the streets of the Near Southside Historic District
Grand Forks Near Southside Historic District
The Grand Forks Near Southside Historic District is a historic district in Grand Forks, North Dakota that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004....
are lined with classic houses. Reeves Drive was once one of the most fashionable neighborhoods in the city and, to this day, it is still the home of many old mansions exhibiting several unique architectural styles. Also in this neighborhood are areas of original granitoid paving, several historic churches, and the Lincoln Drive Park. The Near Southside neighborhood was granted the historic district designation by the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
In general, the newer neighborhoods of Grand Forks are in the southern and western parts of town. The 32nd Avenue South corridor has been the commercial center of the city since the Columbia Mall
Columbia Mall (Grand Forks)
Columbia Mall is an enclosed regional shopping mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota and is located at the intersection of 32nd Avenue South and Columbia Road.It is the largest mall within...
opened in 1978. Many big box stores and restaurants are now located along the avenue. A large strip mall, called the Grand Forks Marketplace, opened in 2001 near the Columbia Mall. University Village
University Village, Grand Forks, North Dakota
University Village is a neighborhood in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is a part of the University of North Dakota campus and is located directly north of UND's central campus area. The property comprises located on the banks of the meandering English Coulee directly off U.S. Highway 2...
is a new commercial district that was built on vacant lands owned by the University of North Dakota. The centerpiece of the Village is the Ralph Engelstad Arena
Ralph Engelstad Arena
For the arena with the same name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota see Ralph Engelstad Arena .For the pre-2001 arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota see Ralph Engelstad Arena ....
, which is used by the University's Fighting Sioux hockey team. All the buildings in the Village have been built in a similar style to buildings on the nearby UND campus. The area now includes restaurants and stores, as well as the University bookstore. In 2006, a new Wellness Center for UND students opened on the Village's west side.
Climate
Due to its location in the Great PlainsGreat Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
and its distance from both mountains and oceans, the city has a humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
(Dfb)), USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Hardiness zone
A hardiness zone is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone...
4. This type of climate is distinguished by four very distinct seasons and great variation in temperatures over very short periods of time. As there are no nearby mountain ranges or bodies of water to ameliorate the climatic conditions, Grand Forks lies exposed to numerous weather systems including bitterly cold Arctic high pressure systems. The city experiences long, cold, and snowy winters. In sharp contrast, summers are often warm to hot and often quite humid with frequent thunderstorms. Although warm weather normally ends soon after Labor Day, a few warm days can, on rare occasions, be seen as late as October. Spring and autumn are short and highly variable seasons. Record temperature extremes range from -60 F on January 30, 2004, to 121 °F (49 °C) on July 6, 1936.
Demographics
As of the 2000 CensusUnited States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 49,321 people, 19,677 households, and 11,058 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,563.0 per square mile (989.8/km2). There were 20,838 housing units at an average density of 1,082.8 per square mile (418.2/km2).
The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 0.9% African American, 2.8% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population. The top six ancestry groups in the city were Norwegian (36.4%), German (34.7%), Irish (10.6%), French (6.5%), Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
(6.2%), English (6.1%). There were 21.4% of the population under the age of 18, 22.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
Of the 19,677 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.0. The median income for a household in the city was $34,194, and the median income for a family was $47,491. Males had a median income of $30,703 versus $21,573 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,395. About 9.3% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.
According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey
American Community Survey
The American Community Survey is an ongoing statistical survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, sent to approximately 250,000 addresses monthly . It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census...
, the racial composition was as follows:
- WhiteWhite AmericanWhite Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
: 91.6% (Non-Hispanic WhitesNon-Hispanic WhitesNon-Hispanic Whites or White, Not Hispanic or Latino are people in the United States, as defined by the Census Bureau, who are of the White race and are not of Hispanic or Latino origin/ethnicity. Hence the designation is exclusive in the sense that it defines who is not included as opposed to who is...
: 90.4%) - Black or African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
: 1.6% - American IndianNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
: 3.2% - AsianAsian AmericanAsian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
: 1.0% - Pacific IslanderPacific Islander AmericanPacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
: 0.0% - Some other race: 1.1%
- Two or more racesMultiracial AmericanMultiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their...
: 1.5%
- Hispanic or LatinoHispanic and Latino AmericansHispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
(of any race): 2.4%
Source:
The top five European ancestry groups were the following:
- NorwegianNorwegian AmericanNorwegian Americans are Americans of Norwegian descent. Norwegian immigrants went to the United States primarily in the later half of the 19th century and the first few decades of the 20th century. There are more than 4.5 million Norwegian Americans according to the most recent U.S. census, and...
: 35.7% - GermanGerman AmericanGerman Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
: 34.3% - IrishIrish AmericanIrish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
: 9.5% - PolishPolish AmericanA Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
: 7.4% - FrenchFrench AmericanFrench Americans or Franco-Americans are Americans of French or French Canadian descent. About 11.8 million U.S. residents are of this descent, and about 1.6 million speak French at home.An additional 450,000 U.S...
: 5.4%
Source:
Economy
The economy of Grand Forks is not dominated by any one industry or sector. While agriculture continues to play a role in the area's economy, the city of Grand Forks now has a relatively diverse economy that includes public and private employers in sectors such as education, defense, health care, manufacturing, and food processing. The state and federal governments are two of the largest employers in the Grand Forks area. The University of North DakotaUniversity of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
, located in the heart of the city, is the largest employer in the metropolitan area. Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, just west of the city, employs a large number of civilian workers in addition to its enlisted personnel. Altru Health System
Altru Health System
Altru Health System is an American healthcare provider headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Altru Health System is a non-profit organization that serves a region with a population base of roughly 225,000. Altru Health System employs 3,500 people including a 160+ physician medical group...
is the largest private employer in Grand Forks.
Major manufacturers in Grand Forks include wind turbine manufacturer LM Glasfiber
LM Glasfiber
LM Wind Power is the largest manufacturer of wind turbine blades in the world. LM Wind Power has manufactured more than 130,000 blades since 1978, contributing to saving nature more than 74 million tons of each year....
and small aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Design
Cirrus Design
The Cirrus Aircraft Corporation is an aircraft manufacturer that was founded in 1984 by Alan and Dale Klapmeier to produce the VK-30 kit aircraft....
. Major food producers include potato processor J. R. Simplot Company
Simplot
The J. R. Simplot Company, commonly referred to as Simplot, was founded in 1923 by 14-year-old J. R. Simplot near the small agricultural community of Declo in south central Idaho. J. R. Simplot led his company to tremendous growth in the period between its founding and World War II...
and the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator
North Dakota Mill and Elevator
The North Dakota Mill and Elevator is the largest flour mill in the United States. It is located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The mill is owned by the U.S. state of North Dakota and is the only state-owned milling facility in the United States....
which is the largest flour mill in the United States. Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
and SEI Information Technologies both operate call centers in Grand Forks. Other large private employers in the city include the locally owned Alerus Financial
Alerus Financial
Alerus Financial, headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a chain of financial institutions located throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. Alerus offers personal banking, business banking, and agribusiness banking.-History:...
branch of banks, Home of Economy
Home of Economy
Home of Economy is a chain of retail stores with 6 locations in North Dakota: Grand Forks, Grafton, Devils Lake, Minot, Williston, and Jamestown...
, and the locally owned Hugo's
Hugo's
Hugo's is the name of a family-owned chain of supermarket grocery stores located in the U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota. Hugo's is headquartered in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
chain of supermarkets.
The retail and service sector is also an important part of the economy. The historic center of shopping in Grand Forks was the downtown
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks is the original commercial center of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, the downtown neighborhood is situated near the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River. While downtown is no longer the dominant commercial area of...
area. Today, downtown is home to small shops and restaurants and south Grand Forks has become the major retail district in the city. Grand Forks has three large shopping centers. The oldest, Grand Cities Mall
Grand Cities Mall
The Grand Cities Mall is an enclosed shopping mall located on South Washington Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was the first enclosed shopping mall built in North Dakota, but by a quirk of fate, the second opened to the public by only six days difference. The mall covers and is anchored...
, is located on South Washington Street and contains mainly small, locally owned stores as well as a Kmart
Kmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
. With about 80 stores, the area's largest indoor mall is Columbia Mall
Columbia Mall (Grand Forks)
Columbia Mall is an enclosed regional shopping mall in Grand Forks, North Dakota and is located at the intersection of 32nd Avenue South and Columbia Road.It is the largest mall within...
which is anchored by Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
, J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
, and a small food court. The newest major shopping center in the city is the Grand Forks Marketplace power center mall which features SuperTarget
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
, Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
, Gordmans
Gordmans
Gordmans Stores is a chain of mid-western off-price department stores founded and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Today, Gordmans operates 66 stores in 16 states in the United States.-Beginnings:...
, and several smaller stores. Depending on the relative strength of the Canadian dollar
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
versus the American dollar, the Greater Grand Forks area attracts large numbers of tourist shoppers from Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
and especially from Winnipeg.
Economic development
The city government is actively involved in the economic development process, helping existing firms grow and attracting new ones. A portion of sales tax revenues is set aside for this, some of it going into the Grand Forks Growth Fund. Companies can request low-interest loans or grants from this fund provided they meet certain criteria, such as paying a relatively high wage and doing most of their business outside the city's trade region. The city also contributes to the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC), a public-private organization that also receives funding from banks and other major businesses. The EDC plays a consulting role for businesses, such as identifying suitable sites for expansion or assembling public funding packages. Its other key role is to vet businesses to see if they are suitable for funding by the Growth Fund.Community leaders have long seen UND as an "economic engine" for the city. Besides its regular faculty, it also has business-like components such as the Energy and Environmental Research Center
Energy and Environmental Research Center
The Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota EERC is a research, development, demonstration, and commercialization facility recognized as one of the world’s leading developers of cleaner, more efficient energy technologies as well as environmental technologies to...
. UND hosts a technology incubator called the Center for Innovation. More recently, the University has been working to commercialize its research. A major thrust in that direction is the construction of a research park on the western fringes of the campus. Another potential economic opportunity for the city is the addition of the unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
(UAV) mission to Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
. The base currently hosts KC-135 Stratotanker
KC-135 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
s, which will gradually be transferred to other bases around the country.
Arts and theatre
Due at least in part to the presence of the University of North DakotaUniversity of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
, Grand Forks offers a variety of arts and cultural events. The North Dakota Museum of Art
North Dakota Museum of Art
The North Dakota Museum of Art is the official art museum of the U.S. state of North Dakota. Located on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, the museum is a private not-for-profit institution...
, located on the UND campus, brings many nationally touring exhibits to Grand Forks as well as the work of regional artists. In addition to the Museum of Art, UND offers other gallery space for student art. UND also has active Theater Arts and Music departments. Students stage theater productions each year at the Burtness Theater on campus. UND's Chester Fritz Auditorium
Chester Fritz Auditorium
The Chester Fritz Auditorium is a performance facility on the campus of the University of North Dakota located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. "The Fritz", as it is commonly known, is used for many events including concerts, dance groups, and popular Broadway musicals...
also brings music and theater events to Grand Forks including national touring companies of Broadway musicals
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
.
The Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra has been performing since 1905 and the Grand Forks Master Chorale was formed in 1983. Both groups stage productions each year at various locations in the community. The North Dakota Ballet Company is headquartered in Grand Forks and often performs at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The Grand Forks City Band was formed in 1886 and still stages shows year round.
The Empire Arts Center, in downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks is the original commercial center of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, the downtown neighborhood is situated near the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River. While downtown is no longer the dominant commercial area of...
, is home to several cultural events throughout the year. The Empire, a 1919 movie theater, was restored after the Flood of 1997
Red River Flood, 1997
The Red River Flood of 1997 was a major flood that occurred in April and May 1997, along the Red River of the North in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Southern Manitoba. It was the most severe flood of the river since 1826...
and now includes performance space, a large movie screen, a gallery, and space for artists. The Fire Hall Theatre, also located downtown, is used by community members to put on several theater productions each year. The Summer Performing Arts Company
Summer Performing Arts Company
The Summer Performing Arts Company is a summerstock educational theatre program in Grand Forks, North Dakota that is part of the Grand Forks Public Schools...
(SPA) is a popular summer arts program for area K-12 students. SPA stages three major musicals mid-July. The Myra Museum, on Belmont Road near the Greater Grand Forks Greenway, is a small history museum with exhibits that trace local history from the Ice Age, through settlement, and into the modern age. Other buildings on the Myra Museum grounds include the original 1868 Grand Forks Post Office, a 1917 one room school, and the historic Campbell House.
Sports
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
Fighting Sioux
North Dakota Fighting Sioux
The North Dakota Fighting Sioux are the athletic teams of the University of North Dakota , which is located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the United States. The logo is a Native American figure. The logo was designed by Bennett Brien, a local artist and UND graduate of Ojibwa...
. The UND men's ice hockey team competes in the NCAA Division I level and has been the Frozen Four championship team seven times and the runner-up five times. The UND football
North Dakota Fighting Sioux football
The North Dakota Fighting Sioux are a college football program that competes in the Great West Conference in the NCAA Division I's Football Championship Subdivision...
team was the 2001 NCAA Division II champion
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
and the 2003 runner-up. In 2006, the university announced that it would be moving its entire athletic program to Division I.
Grand Forks is home to two major indoor athletic arenas. The city-owned Alerus Center
Alerus Center
The Alerus Center is an indoor arena and convention center located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The facility is owned and operated by the city of Grand Forks and opened on February 10, 2001. The arena's major tenant is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team. The arena also...
opened in 2001. The Alerus Center is home to the Fighting Sioux football team and also plays host to a variety of other events including major concerts. The Alerus Center is the largest arena and convention center complex in the upper Midwest area. The Fighting Sioux hockey teams compete in the Ralph Engelstad Arena
Ralph Engelstad Arena
For the arena with the same name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota see Ralph Engelstad Arena .For the pre-2001 arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota see Ralph Engelstad Arena ....
, located in the University Village
University Village, Grand Forks, North Dakota
University Village is a neighborhood in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is a part of the University of North Dakota campus and is located directly north of UND's central campus area. The property comprises located on the banks of the meandering English Coulee directly off U.S. Highway 2...
district of the UND campus. "The Ralph", as it is commonly called, was funded by UND benefactor Ralph Engelstad
Ralph Engelstad
Ralph Engelstad was the multi-millionaire owner of the Imperial Palace casino-hotels in Las Vegas and in Biloxi, Mississippi and the Klondike Hotel & Casino...
and opened in 2001 at a cost of over . Adjacent to the Ralph Engelstad Arena is the smaller Betty Engelstad Sioux Center
Betty Engelstad Sioux Center
The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center is an indoor arena located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is adjacent to the larger $100 million Ralph Engelstad Arena in the University Village development. The facility sits on the campus of the University of North Dakota and is used for the University's...
. "The Betty" is the home of the Fighting Sioux basketball
North Dakota Fighting Sioux basketball
The North Dakota Fighting Sioux basketball teams are parth of the athletic program at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They are members of the NCAA Division I Great West Conference since the 2008-2009 season. Previously they played in Division II's North Central...
and Fighting Sioux volleyball
North Dakota Fighting Sioux volleyball
The North Dakota Fighting Sioux volleyball team is a part of the athletic program at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. They are members of the NCAA Division I Great West Conference. The team has won 2 consecutive Great West Conference regular and post-season titles ....
teams.
Recreation
The Grand Forks Park DistrictGrand Forks Park District
The Grand Forks Park District is a government agency of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Park District was founded in 1905 and and levies its own taxes separately from local government...
, established in 1905, operates 14 neighborhood parks, 28 tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
courts, and a swimming pool. The parks include features such as playgrounds, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and picnic areas. Sertoma Park includes a Japanese garden
Japanese garden
, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
. The Park District also operates eleven outdoor skating rinks and indoor ice arenas: Purpur Arena, Eagles Arena, Blueline Club Arena, and Gambucci Arena. The district also owns the Center Court Fitness Club.
There are several golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s in the city and the surrounding area. The Park District operates the 18-hole, Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
-designed, links style King's Walk Golf Course and the historic, 9-hole Lincoln Golf Course. The University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
operates the 9-hole Ray Richards Golf Course. The 18-hole Grand Forks Country Club is located directly south of the city. There are also golf courses in nearby East Grand Forks, Minnesota
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
and Manvel, North Dakota.
The Greater Grand Forks Greenway is a large park that runs the length of the Red River
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
in the city. It includes an extensive path system, large festival grounds, ski trails, and wildflower gardens. Including the Greenway, the bicycle route system in Grand Forks is over 43 miles (69.2 km) long. These paths are located in The Greenway, adjacent to major streets, and on the banks of the English Coulee. There are also two pedestrian/bike bridges that span the Red River.
Media
The Grand Forks HeraldGrand Forks Herald
The Grand Forks Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper, begun in 1879, published in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is the primary daily paper for northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Its average daily circulation is 34,763 on Sundays and 31,524 on weekdays...
is the major daily newspaper serving Grand Forks and is also the second most widely circulated newspaper in North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
with a daily circulation of around 31,000. The Exponent is a weekly newspaper published in East Grand Forks, Minnesota
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
. The University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
also has its own student-published newspaper called The Dakota Student, which is published twice weekly during the school year.
The major AM radio station in Grand Forks is KNOX 1310, which is a news and talk station
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
. The city's FM stations include NPR affiliates KUND-FM
KUND-FM
KUND-FM is a radio station licensed to Grand Forks, North Dakota. The station is owned by Prairie Public Broadcasting, and programs a format consisting of jazz, classical music and news and talk programming.-External links:*...
89.3, KFJM
KFJM
KFJM is a public radio station in Grand Forks, North Dakota airing an adult album alternative format with news in the mornings, jazz in the late evenings and blues and folk on the weekends....
90.7, KQMN
KQMN
KQMN is a radio station licensed to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and serving the Grand Forks area. The station is owned by Minnesota Public Radio , and airs MPR's "Classical Music Network", originating from KSJN in Minneapolis/St. Paul....
91.5 and KNTN
KNTN
KNTN is a radio station licensed to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and serving the Grand Forks area. The station is owned by Minnesota Public Radio , and airs MPR's "News and Information" network, originating from KNOW in Minneapolis/St. Paul....
102.7. Commercial FM stations include rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
station KJKJ
KJKJ
KJKJ is an American radio station serving Grand Forks, North Dakota. It first began broadcasting in 1985. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications and the station's broadcast license is held by Citicasters Licenses, L.P.-Programming:KJKJ broadcasting an active rock music...
107.5; top 40 stations KKXL-FM
KKXL-FM
KKXL-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format serving the Grand Forks, North Dakota area. It first began broadcasting in the 1970s as KKDQ. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications.-History:...
92.9 and KZGF 94.7; and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
stations KSNR
KSNR
KSNR is a radio station broadcasting a country format. Licensed to Fisher, Minnesota, it serves the Grand Forks, North Dakota and Thief River Falls, Minnesota areas. It first began broadcasting in 1983...
100.3 and KYCK
KYCK
KYCK is a radio station broadcasting a country format. Licensed to Crookston, Minnesota, it serves the Grand Forks, North Dakota metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1979 under the call sign KDWZ. The station is currently owned by Leighton Broadcasting.-History:KYCK signed on in...
97.1.
WDAZ-TV
WDAZ-TV
WDAZ-TV, channel 8, is an ABC affiliate located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The station serves the northern half of the Fargo-Grand Forks television market. The station also has significant viewership in southern Manitoba, Canada including Winnipeg and Steinbach as it is carried on cable. WDAZ is...
channel 8, an ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate, is the only broadcast television station in Grand Forks that provides local news. All other major U.S. television networks are represented in Grand Forks from Fargo-based television stations. The cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
provider, Midcontinent Communications
Midcontinent Communications
Midcontinent Communications is a regional cable provider, providing a triple play service of cable television, cable modem Internet service, and cable telephone service for both North Dakota and South Dakota, along with several communities in western Minnesota...
, carries several locally based cable channels such as the Fighting Sioux Sports Network
Fighting Sioux Sports Network
The Fighting Sioux Sports Network is a local cable channel operated in Grand Forks, North Dakota by the University of North Dakota in conjunction with WDAZ-TV also based in Grand Forks...
and public channels run by the University of North Dakota, City of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks Public Schools.
Government
| Mayor | Michael Brown Michael Brown (mayor) Michael Brown is the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota as of 2008. He spent his childhood in Okinawa and came to Grand Forks as an United States Air Force officer. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Today, Brown is an obstetrician at Altru Health System in Grand... |
| Ward 1 | Terry Bjerke |
| Ward 2 | Tyrone Grandstrand |
| Ward 3 | Eliot Glassheim |
| Ward 4 | Hal Gershman |
| Ward 5 | Doug Christensen |
| Ward 6 | Dana Sande |
| Ward 7 | Curt Kreun |
Grand Forks uses the mayor-council
Mayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
model of municipal government. The mayor, who is elected every four years, has the power to oversee the daily administration of city government and to work directly with department heads to ensure the proper provision of services. The mayor of Grand Forks is obstetrician
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
Dr. Michael Brown
Michael Brown (mayor)
Michael Brown is the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota as of 2008. He spent his childhood in Okinawa and came to Grand Forks as an United States Air Force officer. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Today, Brown is an obstetrician at Altru Health System in Grand...
. He was first elected in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and again in 2008.
The city is divided into seven wards with each ward electing a single city council representative for a four-year term. The council meets twice a month as the council proper and its two main committees, the Finance/Development Committee and Service/Safety Committee, each meets twice a month. All these meetings are broadcast on a local cable channel.
Higher education
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
(UND), the oldest university and home of the only schools of medicine and law in the state, is located at Grand Forks. Enrollment is about 13,000. UND is known for its John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences which includes an Air Traffic Control Training program that in October 2009 was ranked No.1 in the nation for the second consecutive year by the FAA. UND and North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
make up the Red River Valley Research Corridor
Red River Valley Research Corridor
The Red River Valley Research Corridor is the name that has been given to a region in the American state of North Dakota. It roughly comprises the corridor along the Red River of the North. The Research Corridor is anchored by North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota...
.
Northland Community and Technical College, a two-year school, is located across the Red River in East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
. The University of Minnesota Crookston
University of Minnesota Crookston
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a four-year university located in Crookston, Minnesota. With 1,600 undergraduate students , it is one of five campuses in the University of Minnesota system. Currently, students from 29 countries and 40 states are enrolled .Located on the northern edge of...
is in nearby Crookston, Minnesota
Crookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
.
Primary and secondary schools
The Grand Forks Public SchoolsGrand Forks Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools is a system of publicly-funded K-12 schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The GFPS comprises two school districts: the Grand Forks School District and the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District. There are twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high...
system includes the Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
school districts. Enrollment is about 7,600. There are twelve elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s, four middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
s, and two high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s (Central High
Central High School (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
Central High School is a public senior high school in the Grand Forks Public Schools district. It is located near the University of North Dakota. It has a main focus on athletics and is regionally renowned in ice hockey, golf and tennis.-Location:...
and Red River High
Red River High School
Red River High School is a public high school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. It serves about 1,337 students and is one of two high schools in the Grand Forks Public Schools system. The athletic teams are known as "The Roughriders"....
), an alternative high school, and an adult education program. Grand Forks Public Schools is governed by a nine member board of elected representatives, separate from the city and county governments.
There are several primary schools that are not part of the public school system including the state-operated North Dakota School for the Blind. There are two Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
s offering classes from kindergarten through sixth grade.
The only private high school in the metropolitan area is Sacred Heart High School
Sacred Heart High School (East Grand Forks, Minnesota)
Sacred Heart High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston....
, a Catholic school, in East Grand Forks. There is a non-denominational Christian elementary and middle school operating in East Grand Forks.
Transportation
Flights and Air Service
Grand Forks International AirportGrand Forks International Airport
Grand Forks International Airport is a public airport located five miles northwest of the central business district of Grand Forks, a city in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, United States...
(GFK, KGFK) is served by Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
and Allegiant Air with several daily round trips to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and weekly flights to Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, and Las Vegas, NV. A new passenger terminal is scheduled for completion in early 2011. The airport is a major distribution center for FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
, which conducts flights daily with Boeing 757 and Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft. The Cessna 208B Caravans transport packages to outlying areas of the state including Bismarck, ND, Minot, ND, Dickinson, ND, and Williston, ND as well as Bemidji, MN and Thief River Falls, MN. The airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, due in large measure to the presence of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is a part of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school was formed in 1968. The school's fleet of 120 aircraft is based at nearby Grand Forks International Airport and is the largest fleet of civilian flight training...
of the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
.
Trains and Rail Service
The BNSF RailwayBNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
runs track in several directions in and around the city. Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
passenger service on the Empire Builder
Empire Builder
The Empire Builder is a passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Midwestern and Northwestern United States. It is Amtrak's busiest long-distance route and busiest daily train, carrying more than 500,000 travelers annually since 2007. Overall, it is the railroad's 10th-busiest line. Before...
line heads westbound daily at and eastbound daily at . The Empire Builder stops at the Grand Forks Amtrak station
Grand Forks (Amtrak station)
The Grand Forks Amtrak station is a train station in western Grand Forks, North Dakota served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system.It is located at a railroad wye where Amtrak trains turn south...
.
Highways and Interstate Highways
Three federal highways pass through Grand Forks: U.S. Highway 2U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
, Interstate 29
Interstate 29
Interstate 29 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern United States. I-29 runs from Kansas City, Missouri, at a junction with Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 to the Canadian border near Pembina, North Dakota, where it connects with Manitoba Highway 75 via the short Manitoba Highway 29.-Route...
, and U.S. Highway 81. U.S. Highway 2, known as Gateway Drive in the city, runs east to west through the northern part of town and is a four lane highway. The highway is the primary connection between Grand Forks, East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
, the Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, Grand Forks International Airport
Grand Forks International Airport
Grand Forks International Airport is a public airport located five miles northwest of the central business district of Grand Forks, a city in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, United States...
, and nearby Crookston, Minnesota
Crookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
. Interstate 29 runs north to south along the western part of the city, officially multiplexed with U.S. Highway 81 in the Grand Forks area. The U.S. Highway 81 business route, Washington Street and 32nd Avenue, runs through many of the city's major commercial districts.
Local Roads and Public Transportation
Within the city, roads that run from north to south are traditionally called "streets" and roads that run from east to west are traditionally called "avenues". Streets are numbered in blocks west of the Red RiverRed River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
. Avenues are numbered in blocks north or south of DeMers Avenue – the city's historic dividing route adjacent to the rail yards. The city maintains a bus system called Cities Area Transit
Cities Area Transit
Cities Area Transit is the public transportation system in the neighboring cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The scheduled transit bus routes are operated by the city of Grand Forks and service is provided to East Grand Forks through a cost-sharing agreement...
, also known by the acronym CAT. The system has operated since 1926 when it was introduced to replace an earlier trolley
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
system. There are twelve bus routes including night service and service in the community of East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
.
Health care
With over 3,400 employees and over 180 physicians, Altru Health SystemAltru Health System
Altru Health System is an American healthcare provider headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Altru Health System is a non-profit organization that serves a region with a population base of roughly 225,000. Altru Health System employs 3,500 people including a 160+ physician medical group...
is the main provider of health care in Grand Forks and the surrounding region and is also the largest private employer in Grand Forks. Altru's 90 acres (36.4 ha) medical campus near the center of the city offers a 261-bed acute care hospital, a 34-bed rehabilitation hospital, and five clinics. Altru Hospital is the result of a 1997 merger of United Hospital (formerly Deaconess and St. Michael's Hospitals) and the Grand Forks Clinic.
Grand Forks has long had just one major healthcare provider, but recently a new medical campus, called Aurora Medical Park, has been developing on the south side of the city. Facilities in the development include the Stadter Center – a 70-bed psychiatric hospital – and a two-story clinic building. Individual spaces in the clinic building are leased out to private medical practices. In early April 2007, a proposal surfaced to build a 70-bed hospital called Aurora Hospital
Aurora Hospital
Aurora Hospital is a hospital currently under construction in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The hospital will have 70 beds and plans call for initial employment of under 150 with future employment of around 500. The hospital will be built on the grounds of the Aurora Medical Park...
on the medical campus.
Sister cities
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Dickinson Dickinson, North Dakota As of the census of 2000, there were 16,010 people, 6,517 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.7 inhabitants per square mile . There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 742.7 per square mile... , North Dakota North Dakota North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S.... , US |
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Sarpsborg Sarpsborg is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad... , Norway Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
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Awano Awano, Tochigi Awano was a town located in Kamitsuga District, Tochigi, Japan.On January 1, 2006 Awano was merged into the city of Kanuma.As of , the town has an estimated population of 10,278 and a density of 57.96 persons per km.² The total area is 177.32 km.²... , Japan (defunct) |
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Ishim Ishim Ishim is a town in the south of Tyumen Oblast, Russia. Population: -History:It was founded in 1670 as the village of Korkina Sloboda. In 1721 by the order of Tsar Peter the Great the village gained the right to establish Nikolskaya Trade Fair which rapidly became one of the most important trade... , Russia (inactive) |
Grand Forks has an active sister city
Town twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
program designed to encourage cultural and economic exchanges. Grand Forks' first sister city was Ishim
Ishim
Ishim is a town in the south of Tyumen Oblast, Russia. Population: -History:It was founded in 1670 as the village of Korkina Sloboda. In 1721 by the order of Tsar Peter the Great the village gained the right to establish Nikolskaya Trade Fair which rapidly became one of the most important trade...
in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. The relationship with the Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
n city formally began in 1984 during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Sometime in the late 1990s, however, political and economic turmoil in Russia ended the relationship. While the relationship with Ishim faded, Grand Forks found a new sister in Awano
Awano, Tochigi
Awano was a town located in Kamitsuga District, Tochigi, Japan.On January 1, 2006 Awano was merged into the city of Kanuma.As of , the town has an estimated population of 10,278 and a density of 57.96 persons per km.² The total area is 177.32 km.²...
, Japan. An informal relationship began in 1994 when the school districts of both cities began exchanging students. In 1998, the two formally proclaimed themselves sister cities. The most concrete evidence of the relationship between the two is a Japanese rock garden in Grand Forks' Sertoma Park and a sculpture of an American bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
in an Awano park. However, the annexation of Awano by the larger city of Kanuma has led to the end of the sister city relationship. Grand Forks' relationship with Dickinson, North Dakota
Dickinson, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,010 people, 6,517 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.7 inhabitants per square mile . There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 742.7 per square mile...
, began in 2002, when delegations from each city visited the other. Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown
Michael Brown (mayor)
Michael Brown is the mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota as of 2008. He spent his childhood in Okinawa and came to Grand Forks as an United States Air Force officer. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Today, Brown is an obstetrician at Altru Health System in Grand...
has said he thinks having friends in western North Dakota, which typically has diverging interests from eastern cities, could help at the state legislature. Sarpsborg
Sarpsborg
is a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Sarpsborg.Sarpsborg is part of the fifth largest urban area in Norway when paired with neighbouring Fredrikstad...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, became a sister city in 2005 following several exchanges among leaders from both cities. The city became interested in building a relationship with Sarpsborg because many Grand Forks residents have Norwegian heritage.
Further reading
- Tweton, Jerome D. (1986, reprinted 2005). Grand Forks, A Pictorial History, Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company.
- Bladow, Eldon (Ed., 1974). They Came To Stay, Grand Forks, North Dakota: Grand Forks Centennial Corporations.
- Jacobs, Mike (Ed., 1997). Come Hell and High Water, Grand Forks, North Dakota: Knight-Ridder.