BASE RELOCATION - GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA: THE GRAND ADVENTURE

North Dakota, a land rich in tradition, heritage, and scenic beauty. This legacy runs deep in the roots of our ancestors, who protected and preserved the land. If busy traffic, long commutes, overpriced housing, and high crime rates are part of your life, moving here will be a great change of pace. North Dakota is one of the most picturesque states in the nation. Between vast tracts of land are a number of cities which make up the majority of the population. Grand Forks is the oldest and third largest city in the state. French fur traders were among the first to settle here. Their lives centered on two rivers, the Red River of the North and the Red Lake River. Known as La Grande Forche, this junction became a hotspot for industry and commerce. Agriculture is the chief industry of the Red River Valley. Our farmers supply the nation with beet sugar, wheat, potatoes, and much more. Harvest season is a busy time of the year for both the commercial farmer and the backyard gardener. Located in the heart of Red River Valley is Grand Forks Air Force Base, one of the largest employers in North Dakota. Since 1957, Grand Forks has supported some of the world's finest weapon systems, like the F-101 Voodoo, the B-52 Stratofortress, and the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. Today, the Warriors of the North support 48 KC-135 Stratotankers under Air Mobility Command, making it the first supertanker wing in the Air Force. Grand Forks supports the Air Force mission of global engagement by providing rapid, worldwide mobility and agile combat support where and when America calls. Once on base, a familiar first stop for many families is the base housing office. With over 2,200 housing units, you're sure to get settled comfortably. For single people, the housing office has information on apartments and realtors in the local area. Also, the recently dedicated Barnes Dormitory is proud to offer the mandated one-to-one room design. The Family Support Center, located on Holes Apple Street, offers many programs and services to help you adjust to your new home. These programs include Air Force Aid Society, Career Focus, Family Life Education, Information and Referral, Relocation Assistance, Transition Assistance, Personal Financial Management, and the Volunteer Resource Program. Children enjoy a variety of supervised activities at the Child Development Center, Youth Center, Kiddie Campus, and Liberty Square. Our goal is to challenge the minds and bodies of kids to organize social, physical, and educational activities. The Sports and Fitness Center offers state-of-the-art facilities for basketball, racquetball, free weights, aerobics, nautilus, and fitness training. The two elementary schools on base, Eielson and Twining, are part of the Grand Forks Public School System. Children in grades 9 and up attend classes at Central High, Community High, and Red River High Schools. Graduates of the Grand Forks Public School System score around 15% higher on the ACT test than their counterparts in the state and nation each year. Our award-winning base education office is open to the general public and offers nearly 50 degree completion programs for many accredited schools. The University of North Dakota is the state's oldest institution of higher learning, with over 10,000 students enrolled. UND offers academic programs in 160 fields, including law and medicine. Master's degrees are also offered, and several doctorate programs are available. The University of North Dakota is also home to the prestigious Center for Aerospace Sciences, offering many programs in aeronautical studies. UND also competes in Division I and II sporting events, and has enjoyed national ranking in hockey, basketball, and football. Two chapels on base and over 50 churches in the neighboring community provide worship services as well as educational and social programs. The 319th Medical Group serves a patient population of more than 10,000 active-duty, retirees, and family members. Grand Forks also offers excellent civilian health care. We have a regional hospital, acute care clinics, and a rehabilitation hospital. Winter is the time of year to truly experience life in the North Country. You can enjoy downhill skiing at Frostfire Mountain near the Canadian border. Also, winter brings many organized activities, such as the annual Frosty Bobber Winter Festival and First Night. You can also take up skating, cross-country skiing, hockey, and snowmobiling. Summer in North Dakota is equally filled with outdoor activities for young and old alike. There are over 40 parks in the greater Grand Forks area, with such attractions as a water slide, biking, as well as numerous summer festivals and outdoor concerts. Other recreational activities include hiking, fishing, golfing, and much more. There are many opportunities to get involved in the arts. You can attend the Grand Forks Symphony, Community Theater, and the North Dakota Ballet. Also, the Chester Fritz Auditorium at the University of North Dakota is a showplace for local and national performances. The greater Grand Forks area has a lot to offer. You'll discover many travel opportunities, all within a short drive. South of Grand Forks is Fargo-Moorhead, North Dakota's largest metropolitan area. Fargo is home to North Dakota State University and the Fargo Dome. West of Grand Forks is Devil's Lake, the largest natural lake in North Dakota, with over 300 miles of shoreline. Located nearby in Devil's Lake Sioux Indian Reservation is Sully's Hill Game Preserve. Minnesota, known as the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, is truly an outdoor paradise. Less than six hours away are the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Minneapolis is home to the world's largest shopping mall, the Mall of America. There you'll find an amusement park, restaurants, nightclubs, movie theaters, and of course, shopping. Minneapolis also features the Metro Dome, home to the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and the Target Center, which hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves. Popular summer getaways include the Minnesota State Fair, Valleyfair Amusement Park, and the Renaissance Festival. A short trip north of Grand Forks brings you to the Canadian province of Manitoba. Winnipeg, the capital city, has much to offer. Professional ice hockey, football, the ballet, a zoo, and numerous concerts and festivals are just a few of the attractions in Winnipeg. North of Winnipeg is Grand Beach. Rated one of the top shorelines in North America, it's well worth the drive. A breathtaking world of adventure and excitement awaits you in Grand Forks. From concerts to Native American powwows to winter activities, Grand Forks. A great place to raise a family, enjoy the outdoors, or just have fun. Come to the Great Plains. Grand Forks. A great place to live.