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 Forklift Masts Grand Forks - Grand Forks, North Dakota has a population of around 53,000 and is the county seat of Grand Forks County. Greater Grand Forks, also referred to as The Grand Cities, consists of the City of Grand Forks and the twin city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of nearly 100,000.
Grand Forks is situated on the banks of the Red River within the Red River Valley. This region is a low-lying area that is susceptible to some flooding. The most recent large scale flood during the year 1997, was amongst the most severe since the year 1826. The early French fur traders named the town Les Grandes Fourches. It was established at the fork of the Red Lake River and the Red River by Alexander Griggs, a steamboat captain, and incorporated in the year 1881. Soon, agriculture flourished within the fertile valley soil.
Nowadays, the city is dependent on a variety of modern industries, like health care, defense, food processing, manufacturing, scientific research and higher education. No single sector dominates the economy of the city. Altru Health System is the biggest private employer of Grand Forks. The University of North Dakota, in downtown Grand Forks, is a main center of higher education, the oldest such institution within North Dakota State, and the largest employer in the metro area. A large percentage of jobs in the Grand Forks region are provided by state and federal government employers. West of the city is Grand Forks Air Force Base, that provides a huge number of jobs for both civilian workers and enlisted personnel. The city is accessed by Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Forks International Airport.
Significant manufacturing firms situated in Grand Forks produce aircrafts and wind turbines, among other products. Food processing businesses consist of J. R. Simplot Company. The North Dakota Mill and Elevator is a flour mill which is owned by North Dakota and is the largest in the nation. There are key call centers in the City of Grand Forks. Companies owned by the locals comprise Home of Economy, Hugo's supermarkets and Alerus Financial.
The city has numerous fine cultural and sports venues, including Alerus Center, Ralph Engelstad Arena and Chester Fritz Auditorium. The North Dakota Museum of Art is amongst many art galleries.
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