Grand Forks is the third largest city in North Dakota. It's sister city, East Grand Forks, MN, lies just across the Red River. The Red River and Red Lake River meanders through both cities. The rivers are surrounded by a dike system that effectively protects them from occasional river flooding as well as provides over 2,200 acres of the Greenway recreation space.
Agriculture plays a large role in the area's economy with major crops of potatoes, sugar beets, beans, and wheat. Grand Forks also has a relatively diverse economy that includes major public and private employers in sectors such as education, defense, health care, manufacturing, and food processing.
Grand Forks was ranked the #9 least economically stressed county in the nation in April 2010.
Forbes Magazine ranked Grand Forks #30 in the Top 100 Best Small Places for Business
& Careers.
Grand Forks ranked #70 out of 336 on 2009's Best Small Cities for Job Growth list.