Grand Forks Economy

[Cratter]

13 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

can't tell if your trollin' ?

Trolling?

How is cheap flights in the backyard of GF trolling? 

Multiple flights to different cities across the country without having to drive to Minneapolis when Hector finishes expanding.. makes my life in Grand Forks a lot better!

...of course GFK isn't going to attract new flights long term when another major airport is so close!

[Cratter]

3 hours ago, Und Princess said:

My estimated guess is over a million dollars. I could be wrong.  But percent wise I'm guessing 80 percent federal dollars depending on the size of airport. @SIOUXFAN97

I dont know the definition of "regional" but GFK operates day to day and it relies on $0 federal dollars.

 

[fightingsioux4life]

1 minute ago, Cratter said:

Trolling?

How is cheap flights in the backyard of GF trolling? 

Multiple flights to different cities across the country without having to drive to Minneapolis when Hector finishes expanding.. makes my life in Grand Forks a lot better!

...of course GFK isn't going to attract new flights long term when another major airport is so close!

Maybe Grand Forks should just get rid of its airport?

[Cratter]

3 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

Maybe Grand Forks should just get rid of its airport?

That's not what anyone said, and you know it. Recognizing that Fargo boosts quality of life in GF doesn’t mean GFK has no value. It means we’re lucky to have both. No need to twist it into a fake argument.

[Und Princess]

1 hour ago, Cratter said:

Just makes sense. Because being one hour from each other it's basically the same market.

(New higher speed limit on the interstate made the two cities even closer to each other now!)

Those new flights Fargo got?

Helped the quality of life for people in Grand Forks.

GFers are excited about the new gates at Hector! Being so close to Fargo is one of the best perks not many other communities have.

He's got to be trollin @HoopsFan03 and @SIOUXFAN97. 

[Kab]

1 hour ago, Cratter said:

Trolling?

How is cheap flights in the backyard of GF trolling? 

Multiple flights to different cities across the country without having to drive to Minneapolis when Hector finishes expanding.. makes my life in Grand Forks a lot better!

...of course GFK isn't going to attract new flights long term when another major airport is so close!

Minot gets flights and only an hour and 15 minutes from Bismarck 

[Cratter]

1 hour ago, Kab said:

Minot gets flights and only an hour and 15 minutes from Bismarck 

1) Minot is 30 more miles away than GFK and Hector. 

2) Minot is more remote and historically has a more transient population (Minot AFB personnel, oil workers.)

3) Bismarck doesn't have nearly as high as airline service as Hector, making it easier to add flights to that area.

4) "The west" has a higher flying culture because of distance and terrain? No easy drive to MSP like the east does for more flight and leisure options...GFK and Hector still have to compete with MSP for passengers which "the west" does not. Less lake cabin (culture) to go to like everyone seems to have in GFK and Fargo area for vacations? Grand Forks even has a city of about a million people a little over two hours to its north competing for its flights and entertainment dollars.

[SIOUXFAN97]

2 hours ago, Cratter said:

I dont know the definition of "regional" but GFK operates day to day and it relies on $0 federal dollars.

 

some airports add flights bc the fed gov pays or partially pays the cost....true?

not trolling just asking

[Cratter]

20 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

some airports add flights bc the fed gov pays or partially pays the cost....true?

not trolling just asking

Yes. Smaller than GFK.

Iirc we read "Devils Lake and TRF get new airline service."

Then we read "Lose airline service" when federal dollars dry up.

I love these programs... even more options nearby for flight travels in the Grand Forks area!

[SIOUXFAN97]

17 hours ago, Cratter said:

That's not what anyone said, and you know it. Recognizing that Fargo boosts quality of life in GF doesn’t mean GFK has no value. It means we’re lucky to have both. No need to twist it into a fake argument.

gf and fargo should(ve) split an airport west of hillsboro....high speed train on the west side of the interstate...there in 20....park at amtrak....flights everywhere!

[Und Princess]

16 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

gf and fargo should(ve) split an airport west of hillsboro....high speed train on the west side of the interstate...there in 20....park at amtrak....flights everywhere!

I agree with you. @SIOUXFAN97

[Kab]

48 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

gf and fargo should(ve) split an airport west of hillsboro....high speed train on the west side of the interstate...there in 20....park at amtrak....flights everywhere!

I suggested this a few years ago and fargonians shot back at me

saying no one would want to drive the 35 miles to an airport

what do large metro flyers have to do? Many are 60 miles or more away 

keep the local airports for UND and private airplanes , same with hector

makes too much sense 

[SIOUXFAN97]

Just now, Kab said:

I suggested this a few years ago and fargonians shot back at me

saying no one would want to drive the 35 miles to an airport

what do large metro flyers have to do? Many are 60 miles or more away 

keep the local airports for UND and private airplanes , same with hector

makes too much sense 

longer drive from maple grove to the minny airport if there is bad traffic thank gf to fargo or fargo to gfk...a 20 minute train ride to hillboro would be nothing...

[SIOUXFAN97]

outside of allegiant.....

gfk goes to Minny?

hector?  minny, dallas, denver, chicago...and soon atlanta?

why did we build a new airport if nothing changed....?

where's bo?

[Dustin]

On 7/7/2025 at 8:40 PM, Cratter said:

Grand Forks even has a city of about a million people a little over two hours to its north competing for its flights and entertainment dollars.

I always check Winnipeg for pricing of "major" flights (mostly overseas - Europe, Caribbean/Mexico, Hawaii).  Even flew to Australia from Winnipeg for less than $1500.

[SIOUXFAN97]

36 minutes ago, Dustin said:

I always check Winnipeg for pricing of "major" flights (mostly overseas - Europe, Caribbean/Mexico, Hawaii).  Even flew to Australia from Winnipeg for less than $1500.

can't wait til manitoba and is a state instead of a province....

[wasmania]

22 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

can't wait til manitoba and is a state instead of a province....

doesnt this get flagged for politics, or is that a one way street?

[SIOUXFAN97]

6 minutes ago, wasmania said:

doesnt this get flagged for politics, or is that a one way street?

it's a joke francis...calm down

[fightingsioux4life]

1 hour ago, Dustin said:

I always check Winnipeg for pricing of "major" flights (mostly overseas - Europe, Caribbean/Mexico, Hawaii).  Even flew to Australia from Winnipeg for less than $1500.

You have to have a passport or passport card to use that option.

[Und Princess]

1 hour ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

can't wait til manitoba and is a state instead of a province....

Haha!!! I love the joke my friend.  @SIOUXFAN97

[gfNDfan]

5 hours ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

it's a joke francis...calm down

It's a joke from a guy who can't take a joke - ironic!  The 51st state bs is nothing but an insult to Canadians - NOT A JOKE!

[Oxbow6]

6 hours ago, gfNDfan said:

It's a joke from a guy who can't take a joke - ironic!  The 51st state bs is nothing but an insult to Canadians - NOT A JOKE!

I thought the understood punchline was Canada. That country is a joke.

[Dustin]

12 hours ago, fightingsioux4life said:

You have to have a passport or passport card to use that option.

I also need a passport to get into the place I'm going (generally).

[Brim006]

My young family and I were in GF for a short bit this past weekend for the first time since we moved away to Bis about 6 years ago. We drove around quite a bit to reminisce, to check out changes and to compare to Bis. A few notes - 

1 - The UND campus updates are absolutely fantastic...we could not believe how much the main campus has changed and grown but still kept the classic traditional look. What an amazing school and campus it has become. The new athletic facilities on and around memorial are FAR bigger and more impressive than I realized they would be. I can see how UND football is winning more of these recruiting battles. Props to anyone/everyone involved because it really came together phenomenally.

2 - the downtown grand forks development was equally fantastic...we once again could not believe how well things came together and how much bigger and better all of the development ended up being in person than what we had pictured. Everything was clean, lively and busy. We drove around several blocks and didnt really see a single eye sore in any direction. Those upgrades and attractions are going to attract and retain more young families. We found ourselves feeling like we missed out and/or maybe shouldnt have moved away now that it all came together and has so much more to offer. Downtown GF is far better than downtown Bismarck in every single aspect, and it's not even close. 

3 - when is scheels going to pull out of the columbia mall to finally just allow it to die all the way off to be sold and used for something else? Scheels having their own standalone building somewhere on the south end would be great, but maybe that isn't realistic? Could the mall be used as a giant food court with bars and resturants with TILT and other indoor turf and batting cages type places? Retail stores are dying even in the highest traffic malls in america. 

4 - Grand Forks is similar to Bismarck in that the areas most visible to outsiders ( interstates and main highways) are some of the roughest parts of town. Both cities could do a much better job of maintaining and improving these corridors to better align with what the rest of the community actually looks like. Many people pass through Grand Forks via Highway 2 (Gateway Drive) and form opinions based on that stretch, which doesn’t reflect the city’s true character. While the view from the interstate is somewhat better, it still falls short of showcasing what the Greater Grand Forks area really has to offer. Similarly, Bismarck and Billings seem to leave their interstate corridors looking outdated and uninviting almost on purpose for some reason haha. 

5- Despite the huge developments completed downtown and on the UND campus, there seemed to be surprisingly very little growth in the residential areas as far as single family homes go, even on the south end. Is there more development happening to the north or the west anywhere really? After being gone 6 years we were surprised to see how few new homes had been built on the south end compared to the growth and development we're used to seeing in bismarck. I think phase 1 of elk ridge alone in 1 year was more than the entire south end of GF in 6 years. Not to mention the 4-5 other big developments happening in Bismarck. We did see many new apartment complexes though. Are most new residents moving into apartments in GF? Is GF getting more low income new residents than middle+upper class professionals? I know we discussed GF is actually showing some population growth again which is great, but after seeing the pretty stagnent housing build (for the size of GF) and many new apartments, I'm wondering if the majority of that growth is from refugees and "new americans" rather than higher income families like Fargo and Bis seem to be attracting? I'll have to look at median income trends to see what that looks like between the 3 cities to see if that confirms anything or not. 

6 - Grand Forks is a great place for a young family to live and is getting really close to offering what Bismarck and Fargo do. I think GGF is just a few indoor facilities away from being on par—with the added bonus of a more small-town, exclusive feel that’s less hectic than what Fargo and Bismarck have become. When we compared it directly to Bismarck as a young family, the deciding factors were the larger indoor museum, the zoo, the indoor science center, the turf bubble dome, and more indoor swimming options. Those amenities ultimately won us over, otherwise we probably would have stayed in Grand Forks. Choice Fitness blows anything Bismarck has out of the water—we miss that place tremendously. The small and crappy YMCA being the main fitness center in Bismarck is hilariously horrible. GF also having a major college in town for events is a big bonus that Bismarck lacks and something we also miss. I’m not sure how realistic a zoo would be for GGF, but I think just a few small additions like that would give GF an even bigger boost than what it seems to have added recently. 

 

[forksandspoons]

19 minutes ago, Brim006 said:

My young family and I were in GF for a short bit this past weekend for the first time since we moved away to Bis about 6 years ago. We drove around quite a bit to reminisce, to check out changes and to compare to Bis. A few notes - 

1 - The UND campus updates are absolutely fantastic...we could not believe how much the main campus has changed and grown but still kept the classic traditional look. What an amazing school and campus it has become. The new athletic facilities on and around memorial are FAR bigger and more impressive than I realized they would be. I can see how UND football is winning more of these recruiting battles. Props to anyone/everyone involved because it really came together phenomenally.

2 - the downtown grand forks development was equally fantastic...we once again could not believe how well things came together and how much bigger and better all of the development ended up being in person than what we had pictured. Everything was clean, lively and busy. We drove around several blocks and didnt really see a single eye sore in any direction. Those upgrades and attractions are going to attract and retain more young families. We found ourselves feeling like we missed out and/or maybe shouldnt have moved away now that it all came together and has so much more to offer. Downtown GF is far better than downtown Bismarck in every single aspect, and it's not even close. 

3 - when is scheels going to pull out of the columbia mall to finally just allow it to die all the way off to be sold and used for something else? Scheels having their own standalone building somewhere on the south end would be great, but maybe that isn't realistic? Could the mall be used as a giant food court with bars and resturants with TILT and other indoor turf and batting cages type places? Retail stores are dying even in the highest traffic malls in america. 

4 - Grand Forks is similar to Bismarck in that the areas most visible to outsiders ( interstates and main highways) are some of the roughest parts of town. Both cities could do a much better job of maintaining and improving these corridors to better align with what the rest of the community actually looks like. Many people pass through Grand Forks via Highway 2 (Gateway Drive) and form opinions based on that stretch, which doesn’t reflect the city’s true character. While the view from the interstate is somewhat better, it still falls short of showcasing what the Greater Grand Forks area really has to offer. Similarly, Bismarck and Billings seem to leave their interstate corridors looking outdated and uninviting almost on purpose for some reason haha. 

5- Despite the huge developments completed downtown and on the UND campus, there seemed to be surprisingly very little growth in the residential areas as far as single family homes go, even on the south end. Is there more development happening to the north or the west anywhere really? After being gone 6 years we were surprised to see how few new homes had been built on the south end compared to the growth and development we're used to seeing in bismarck. I think phase 1 of elk ridge alone in 1 year was more than the entire south end of GF in 6 years. Not to mention the 4-5 other big developments happening in Bismarck. We did see many new apartment complexes though. Are most new residents moving into apartments in GF? Is GF getting more low income new residents than middle+upper class professionals? I know we discussed GF is actually showing some population growth again which is great, but after seeing the pretty stagnent housing build (for the size of GF) and many new apartments, I'm wondering if the majority of that growth is from refugees and "new americans" rather than higher income families like Fargo and Bis seem to be attracting? I'll have to look at median income trends to see what that looks like between the 3 cities to see if that confirms anything or not. 

6 - Grand Forks is a great place for a young family to live and is getting really close to offering what Bismarck and Fargo do. I think GGF is just a few indoor facilities away from being on par—with the added bonus of a more small-town, exclusive feel that’s less hectic than what Fargo and Bismarck have become. When we compared it directly to Bismarck as a young family, the deciding factors were the larger indoor museum, the zoo, the indoor science center, the turf bubble dome, and more indoor swimming options. Those amenities ultimately won us over, otherwise we probably would have stayed in Grand Forks. Choice Fitness blows anything Bismarck has out of the water—we miss that place tremendously. The small and crappy YMCA being the main fitness center in Bismarck is hilariously horrible. GF also having a major college in town for events is a big bonus that Bismarck lacks and something we also miss. I’m not sure how realistic a zoo would be for GGF, but I think just a few small additions like that would give GF an even bigger boost than what it seems to have added recently. 

 

Great post! Downtown and campus are crazy nice these days for sure.

 

The new Altru Sports Complex (indoor turf, pool, pickleball, etc) and Children’s Museum will both be along interstate, helping spruce up that area a little and adding more amenities to the city.

There is also a proposed top golf like development at Ray Richard’s being considered.