Top 10 | July 2026 | Grand Forks EDC

1. Agristo 'Breaks Ground', Plants Roots on $1 Billion Potato Processing Facility

Agristo, joined by state and local leaders, celebrated the official construction kickoff of its first U.S. production facility during a “Planting Our Roots” groundbreaking event on July 7th. EDC President & CEO Keith Lund was among those who took part in the ceremony’s traditional planting, symbolically placing a potato in a row of raised soil at the site. The 630,000-square-foot facility represents an investment of more than $1 billion, is expected to bring 300 to 350 jobs to the region, and is projected to have up to a $1.5 billion total economic impact. EDC Director of Economic Development Becca Cruger also spoke at the event, noting that the investment “reflects the character of the community.” The facility is targeting the 2029 potato harvest as the first to be processed on-site.

2. Cruger Represents Grand Forks UAS Ecosystem in South Korea

EDC Director of Economic Development Becca Cruger traveled to South Korea for a series of prospective UAS business meetings and a UAS-focused conference, where she presented on the Grand Forks ecosystem. Grand Forks was the only community given a dedicated roundtable session during the visit, after being selected as a top destination from among 27 states evaluated. Cruger’s schedule included dinners with the president of the Korea Research Association for Unmanned Vehicles (KRAUV) and with roundtable attendees, alongside several other prominent business leaders. As a result of the trip, as many as seven Korean companies are expected to visit the region to explore business investment and attend the UAS Summit in Grand Forks this fall. The visit builds on a 2024 memorandum of understanding between North Dakota and KRAUV, as well as a prior trip to Korea by previous Business Development Manager Kevin Hatcher in March, who represented the Grand Forks UAS ecosystem.

3. ND Ranks #1 for Business Friendliness for Fifth Consecutive Year

CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business study once again ranked North Dakota #1 in Business Friendliness, marking the fifth consecutive year the state has held the top spot. North Dakota also placed 2nd in Cost of Living, 9th in Quality of Life, and 11th in Education. “North Dakota’s continued recognition as the most business-friendly state reflects the strength of our people, policies, and partnerships,” said Keith Lund, EDC President & CEO.

4. Armada Unveils Triton Mobile Data Center at GrandSKY

AI and edge computing company Armada chose GrandSKY as the launch site for its Triton modular data center on July 17th, a 40-foot unit designed to be transported by semi truck and operate in virtually any environment or climate, running on a range of energy sources without requiring water for cooling. Armada is providing GrandSKY with the Triton free of charge for one year to collect and process data supporting the park’s unmanned systems missions, and has invited tenants including the Air Force, National Guard, General Atomics, UND, and Northrop Grumman to make use of it. That Armada selected GrandSKY as the platform to publicly debut the technology reflects the park’s standing as a proving ground where defense and technology companies are choosing to demonstrate and validate emerging capabilities, and the open invitation to tenants positions the Triton as a shared resource that could accelerate AI integration across the park’s existing operations. Armada is also partnering with the federal government on the Golden Dome missile defense system, a connection Sen. Kevin Cramer, who attended the event, tied directly to the data mobility and integration capabilities the Triton represents.

5. UND Receives Three Grants Given to ND from U.S. DHHS

The University of North Dakota received more than $1 million in three separate awards as part of nearly $5 million in grants the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services distributed to eight North Dakota recipients, announced via Sen. Kevin Cramer’s office on July 8th. UND’s awards include $1,012,517 for biomedical research into disease epigenomics, $734,608 for the North Dakota Rural and Tribal Suicide Care Project, and $396,925 to support the Recruitment/Retention of American Indians Into Nursing Program. Other recipients included the Spirit Lake Tribe, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Sanford Bismarck, and NDSU, with funding spanning maternal and child health, mental health services, nursing education, and biomedical research statewide.

6. Fall 2026 InternGF Priority Round Awards Eight Local Internships

InternGF’s Fall 2026 priority round awarded $17,880.25 in funding across eight local internship placements:

SafetySpect Inc. – Graphic Design Intern
KAZE Drones Inc. – UAS Systems Engineer Intern
Delta Advisory Group LLC – UAS Intern
Grand Forks Growth & Support Center – Service Expansion Assistant Intern
The TapRoom – Entrepreneurial Studies Intern
helseM Architects, LLC – Business Development Intern
keepwith, Inc. – Project Management Intern
Community Foundation – Marketing & Communications Intern

Fall 2026 applications were due on August 1st, but applications are currently open for Spring internships, with a priority deadline of September 1st.

7. Grand Forks City Council, County Commission and School Board Hold First-Ever Joint Meeting on Golf Course Development

The Grand Forks City Council, County Commission, and School Board came together for the first ever joint development meeting on July 15th to discuss the proposed redevelopment of Ray Richards Golf Course, which includes a 169-unit apartment complex and a Toptracer driving range and clubhouse. EDC President & CEO Keith Lund delivered remarks during the meeting, highlighting the region’s housing shortage as a top concern among EDC stakeholders. The proposed 20-year, 90% PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) incentive is valued at approximately $10.5 million, with an estimated net gain in property tax revenue of about $674,000 after five years and $2.2 million after 20 years. Each of the three taxing entities will hold its own votes on the incentive in August and September.

8. EDC Presents Growth Projections at Grand Forks Housing Committee Meeting

EDC President & CEO Keith Lund presented regional employer growth projections to the Grand Forks Housing Committee on July 20th, highlighting confirmed and potential new employees expected through 2029. Confirmed growth includes about 350 new employees from the Agristo potato processing facility, more than 60 from General Atomics, and at least 30 from Northrop Grumman by year’s end. Additional potential growth includes between 300 and 800 service members who could arrive at Grand Forks Air Force Base through the Space Development Agency, as well as possible new employees tied to Northern Plains Nitrogen, Epitome Energy, and a Cirrus Aircraft expansion. The presentation underscored how continued regional growth is driving the community’s housing needs.

9. InternGF Summer Cohort Experience Showcases Industry, Arts & Entertainment

The InternGF Summer Cohort Experience continued in July with session three on July 10th and session four on July 24th. This summer event series, now in its second year, allows students to network, explore the cooler culture of our region, connect with young professionals, and imagine a future for themselves in greater Grand Forks.

Session three included resume review with community partners and industry tours that introduced interns to potential employment opportunities. Interns split into groups and toured GE Vernova, RealTruck, PS Industries, American Crystal Sugar, EERC, Minnkota Power Cooperative, and The HIVE.

Session four emphasized arts and entertainment. In the morning, interns built identity collages and assisted with set building at the Empire Arts Center, baked at the Sons of Norway, and painted at Artwise. In the afternoon, they participated in Native American Cooking class, learned about the Grand Forks Comedy scene and improv, and participated in an art exhibition in Pillsbury Park. Photos are available here:

In August, Interns will participate in a sports and recreation day, an etiquette dinner, and a graduation ceremony.

Industry Tour Day Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCZecK
Arts & Culture Day Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1akc

10. Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals to Host 2026 Regional Summit, EDC Staff Attend & Present

Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals hosted its 2026 Regional Summit July 28th and 29th at the Alerus Center, bringing the event back to Grand Forks for the first time in five years. EDC Marketing & Communications Manager Mark Maliskey presented at the summit, and several EDC staff members attended. GGFYP Executive Director Gon Carlson said hosting the summit again offers a chance to showcase the region’s cooperation between government and local businesses to up-and-coming professionals from across the area. The summit not only serves as a networking and professional development opportunity for regional young professionals, it also provides the opportunity to showcase the vibrant quality of life and career opportunities in the Grand Forks region to early- to mid-career professionals.

11. Cruger Elected Treasurer of AUVSI Great Plains Chapter

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Great Plains Chapter announced the results of its officer elections, naming Becca Cruger, Director of Economic Development at GFREDC, as the chapter’s new treasurer. Zach Peterson of Vigilant Aerospace returns as chapter secretary.