MENU Contact Us 1st Statewide BVLOS network, Vantis 1st UAS pilot undergraduate program 1st UAS maintenance training program 1st Geospatial and imagery analyst training programs 1st Dedicated UAS business & aviation park, Grand Sky 1st Operational UAS integration test site 1st Commercial UAS integration test flight in the U.S. 1st Large commercial UAS flight 1st Law enforcement owned/operated UAS 1st Night flight approval for law enforcement 1st University in the nation to sign partnership with U.S. Space Force 1st Air Force base supporting three UAS platforms 1st To fly two Commercial UAS systems in the pattern simultaneously 1st Business incubator with dedicated space for UAS start-ups 1st To use a large UAS for precision ag and energy research 1st Class of “Great American Defense Community” cities 1st National UAS Summit 1st Authorization for commercial beyond-line-of-sight operations Research & Testing The Grand Forks region leads the nation in UAS research and testing through unique public-private partnerships defining new ways to integrate unmanned systems and technologies into business and industry. Read more … Commercial UAS Park The nation’s only UAS business & aviation park is redefining the industry. On 217 acres adjacent to the Grand Forks Air Force Base, tenants have access to open skies, runway, and communication systems that make flying a breeze. Learn more … Education & Training The Grand Forks region is home to many of the nation’s first and most comprehensive programs specializing in unmanned systems workforce development. Read more … Innovation Corridor Take advantage of the Grand Forks region’s energy, entrepreneurial culture and innovation hubs supporting drone integration and development. Grand Forks is where you need to be. We’ll help you get here. Learn more … 1ST FOR UAS | BEST FOR BUSINESS Airspace & C2 Network Supporting BVLOS Grand Sky and Harris Corp. created the first beyond visual line of site flight corridor, stretching 100 miles and impacting precision farming, oil and gas, infrastructure inspection, and package deliveries. Innovative Business & Aviation Park Grand Sky is the first and only fully operational commercial UAS research and development park in the United States. LEADING UAS TEST SITE The Northern Plains UAS Test Site conducts critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace system. WORLD CLASS UAS RESEARCH UNIVERSITY With 50 years of experience in Aviation education, training, and research, the University of North Dakota was the first to offer a UAS degree in 2009, and our program has led the way since. Thanks to our access to the best resources in the country, the Grand Forks Region EDC can support your company’s expansion or relocation to the region. We can help: Coordinate site selection, financing, and site planning and permitting Connect you with educations and technology resources to help you grow Identify and connect you to regional financing resources Engage federal, state, and local lenders EDC ASSISTS TO COORDINATE DRONE DELIVERY AT KING’S WALK GOLF COURSE Read more … WHY GRAND FORKS? Matt Dunlevy CEO, Sky Skopes The city is drone friendly, which has allowed us to pursue numerous opportunities to showcase our services and meet current business partners. Additionally, another draw in the city is the University of North Dakota. UND’s UAS program attracts top talent to the region and provides a supply of qualified pilots to us upon their graduation. All of these positive attributes and the growth they bring to the city has been bolstered by the efforts of the EDC to help create this environment. Mick Jaggers Northrop Grumman Global Hawk UAS vice president and program manager “With the ability to couple `{`growth in technology and innovation`}` with the real-life operators we have at Grand Forks—as as well as the innovation with UND and their educational systems here—we can combine those two forces in a single place. (UAS Magazine, April 2017) Copyright © 2021 Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation Website by AE2S COMMUNICATIONS