Data Centers in Grand Forks
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Grand Forks – Secure Infrastructure and Regional Resilience
Executive Summary
Grand Forks serves as a stable, cost-effective hub for organizations requiring high-availability infrastructure in a low-risk environment. This market is vital for aerospace, research, and agribusiness firms that prioritize operational continuity and physical security. Positioning data here ensures resilient regional connectivity and long-term financial predictability.
Grand Forks: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Reliable regional network performance. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest major hub is Minneapolis. |
| Power Cost | $0.08/kWh – as of August 2021 | Competitive industrial rates for the region. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (24.65) – as of September 2025 | Minimal threat to physical infrastructure. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | Multiple sales tax exemptions available. |
| Sales Tax | 6.875% – as of July 2025 | Standard Minnesota state rate. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Grand Forks offers a steady connectivity landscape suitable for edge computing and regional distribution.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: over 2. The market features approximately 2 to 5 specialized providers as of September 2025, ensuring reliable regional path diversity.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: Over 0, enabling access to 0 cloud regions. No direct public cloud on-ramps exist locally as of September 2025. Private transport via wave or PNI connects facilities to the nearest major cloud hub in Minneapolis.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited in the immediate metro area; most local traffic reaches national backbones through regional peering points in Minneapolis.
Bare Metal: Dedicated hardware solutions are available through providers like Hivelocity or Latitude.sh, supporting high-performance workloads for regional tech sectors.
Power Analysis
The energy landscape in Grand Forks is defined by stable pricing and a grid built to withstand extreme environments.
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity is $0.08/kWh, as of August 2021. This price point provides a significant operational advantage for power-hungry applications compared to national averages.
Power Grid Reliability: The local grid is well-engineered with redundant substation support and a history of high performance during winter conditions. Infrastructure is built to handle heavy industrial and institutional loads without frequent interruptions.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Grand Forks provides a business-friendly environment with specific advantages for technology-focused enterprises.
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data facilities are located near the University of North Dakota and major aerospace research centers. This proximity is critical for sectors that require low-latency processing for autonomous systems and educational data.
Regional Market Reach: This location effectively serves the northern plains, including North Dakota and Northern Minnesota. It also provides a strategic point for data traffic moving across the Canadian border.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Minnesota offers a comprehensive sales tax exemption on data center equipment and software for qualified facilities. This incentive reduces upfront capital expenses and ongoing refresh costs significantly.
Natural Disaster Risk
The natural disaster risk for Grand Forks is Low (24.65), as of September 2025. The region is one of the safest in the country regarding catastrophic environmental events.
Risk Rubric: Low (24.65).
Primary Hazards: The most relevant natural risks include Winter Weather, Cold Waves, Ice Storms, and Hail. Other factors like Strong Winds and Tornadoes are tracked but remain infrequent or manageable through standard facility hardening.
Inland Status: Coastal flooding and tsunamis do not pose a risk to this market. Facilities focus on thermal management and snow load capacity to maintain 100% uptime.
