Top 10 | February 2026 | Grand Forks EDC

1. grand forks region ranked no. 1 for investment

The Grand Forks region has been ranked number one in the country for corporate facility investment projects per capita in 2025 among tier three metros! The ranking is from Site Selection Magazine and is based on the publication’s analysis of corporate facility investment projects tracked in their proprietary database during calendar year 2025. The Grand Forks metro also finished number two among tier three metros in total project count.

Site Selection Magazine is a respected publication in the economic development industry with a broad business-based audience. Its annual Top Metros rankings are based on a rigorous, independent tracking methodology that counts new locations and expansions by private-sector employers, excluding retail, infrastructure, and speculative development. This closely aligns with the EDC’s focus on supporting primary sector certified businesses. The magazine’s research team identifies projects year-round from corporate newsrooms, regulatory filings, state commerce documents, and news sources, making the ranking a credible, third-party measure of a region’s economic activity.

The ranking is awarded alongside the Per-Capita Governor’s Cup winner, awarded by Site Selection Magazine, to the state of North Dakota! The cup is awarded to the state with the highest number of qualified projects per capita, which further reinforces the strength of the state’s business climate and the large role the Grand Forks region plays in driving that success.

2. hoeven announces activation of radar enclave statewide bvlos uas flights

At a press conference at UND on February 27th, Senator Hoeven announced that a Federal Radar Data Enclave will be unlocked for Vantis, the state’s UAS beyond-visual-line-of-sight network. The enclave is a secure integration of unfiltered radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration with the Vantis system at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS). The NPUASTS is the first non-federal entity in the country to have access to the FAA’s unfiltered radar data feed.

Hoeven emphasized three competitive advantages for the Grand Forks region that the enclave unlocks:

Statewide BVLOS UAS flights in ND, as well as more frequent BVLOS flights.
Counter-drone and national security concerns assistance.
New opportunities for UAS research and development that are not possible anywhere else in the country.

This is a huge announcement for the Grand Forks and state UAS ecosystem! The Grand Forks region leads the nation with many firsts, including the first state-wide beyond-visual-line-of-sight network.

3. hoeven announces $100 million uas investment in gf

US Senator John Hoeven announced a $100 million investment in Grand Forks’ UAS and aerospace tech network! $4 million of that funding will be for a partnership between the HIVE and Q Station, an Albuquerque-based innovation hub. Q Station will be helping develop programming and support the HIVE’s accelerator programs. Half of the investment will be going toward supporting the Space Development Agency’s low-Earth orbit satellite mission at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, and much of the rest of the funding will be used for research and equipment.

This investment is huge for UAS in Grand Forks; big things will be coming soon!

4. eerc receives $25 million for state oil recovery

Senator John Hoeven announced that the UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center will be awarded $25 million to double oil recovery in North Dakota. The funding was part of a larger $150 million state and federal funding set aside for what was referred to as “Crack the Code 2.0.” The efforts will focus on developing pilot projects that inject carbon dioxide into the Bakken oil field reservoirs and revitalize coal-fired power plants. The goal is to double oil production to put pressure on national oil prices and increase the state’s tax revenue that comes from the oil and gas industry.

5. cramer awarded for congressional leadership from iedc

Congratulations to Senator Kevin Cramer for receiving the Congressional Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)! This award is presented to outstanding professionals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to advancing economic development. The Grand Forks region appreciates your leadership support representing North Dakota.

6. ray richards golf course rezoning approved, project progresses

On Monday, February 2nd, Grand Forks City Council members gave final approval for zoning changes at Ray Richards Golf Course. The approval is a in important step to allow for forward movement to develop the new apartment complex and driving range on the property. Council members are supportive of the project, with hopes that the new development will help keep the golf course sustainable, noting that the course has been closed once before. Votes to replat and dedicate a right-of-way and to rezone parts of the property both passed unanimously.

7. EDC Board Member Oncken named henry havig award winner

Congratulations to EDC Board Member John Oncken on being named the 2026 Henry Havig Award winner! Oncken was surprised by the award at the 2026 Chamber Annual Dinner on February 5th. The award is presented annually to recognize the recipient’s exemplary voluntary leadership and service in the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks communities. Oncken is the CEO/Owner of True North Equipment.

8. interngf awards summer priority deadline funds

Congratulations to the companies approved through priority applications for the summer 2026 semester InternGF funding! Regular application deadline awardees will be announced in March. The following applicants were awarded funding for the specified internship:

Integrated Design Services, LLC – Structural Engineer Intern
MyCareLinq, Inc. – Developer/Software Engineer Intern
322 Hospitality Group – Marketing Intern
Bifrost Manufacturing – Finance Intern
Opp Construction – Drone Operations/Jobsite Tech Intern
Grand Forks Children’s Museum – Accounting Intern
KAZE Drones Inc. – UAS Systems Engineer Intern
The TapRoom – Management & Entrepreneurship Intern
Grand Forks County – IT Intern
Live Well Grand Cities – Food Systems Specialist Intern

Summer semester applications for InternGF were due on March 1st. Applications for the fall 2026 semester will open on June 1st.

9. edc hosts triannual advisory board meeting

On Thursday, February 12th, the EDC hosted the triannual Advisory Board meeting. The meeting included a presentation from Colonel Alfred ‘Slick’ Rosales, Commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, about the Point Defense Battle Lab and the partnership and impact it can provide to the community. The Advisory Board members also provided updates on their respective businesses and industries.

10. lund assists with und campus planning, discussions begin

EDC President & CEO Keith Lund is assisting UND with the Campus Planning committee that kicked off the planning process in February. Over the last five years, UND has been taking major strides in upgrading its campus to match the needs of incoming students and getting them to stay there. Keeping in mind things like parking, housing, and historical preservation, they have taken their first steps into planning their next moves to continue making UND a great place to work, learn, and live!

The EDC is excited to assist in the planning process and explore the opportunity to develop spaces where the regional industry can directly collaborate with the university. UND is the number one talent attraction magnet in our region, creating tremendous opportunities for businesses to leverage the capabilities for innovation and growth.