Reba and Kelly in Grand Forks

Reba and Kelly in Grand Forks. No, I don't mean next month's concert at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Yes, country superstar Reba McEntire and American Idol season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson are coming to the Ralph on October 23, but the two singers have already become rather familiar with the Grand Cities. That's because, according to the word on the street, Reba and Kelly spent a couple of days in Grand Forks last week.

The second leg of the 2 Worlds 2 Voices tour kicked off on September 25th in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre. Rumor has it that - for whatever reason - Reba and Kelly stayed in Grand Forks last week before their Winnipeg concert. Apparently, numerous reports around Grand Forks had the two performers staying at the Canad Inn, eating at downtown restaurants, and even catching a movie at East Grand Forks' River Cinema 12.

Kind of cool, huh?

The big winners of 2007

The year 2007 was a good year for the Greater Grand Forks business scene. The swarms of Canadians that have routinely been swamping Grand Forks' commercial districts each weekend have pumped new money into the community. On top of this, several new businesses opened their doors this past year.

Interestingly enough, the big success stories in the 2007 Grand Forks business community were not those of corporate giants like Wal-Mart. That having been said, of course the big-box retailers in town not only held their own, but flourished during the past year. However, I would argue that the big success stories of the year came in the form of a long awaited project that has been viewed as an integral part of this city's economic success and in the form of a homegrown entertainment venue that is giving the "big boys" some serious competition and pumping new life into a part of the community that needed it.

Of the new business in town, the Canad Inn certainly is the hardest to ignore. The 13-story tower on 42nd Street has become a visible landmark for the community and the big parking lots surrounding the complex are routinely near capacity. Discussion went on for years concerning whether or not such a complex would be a success. In the end, the Canad Inn has become a huge success story - not only for the company but for the community as well. The flocks of Canadian shoppers that have been coming to Grand Forks have been helping to fill the hotel's rooms. A drive through the parking lot on any given weekend will show that more than half of the cars bear Canadian license plates. So far, the success of the Canad Inn has not spelled doom for existing hotels in town. In fact, a new 100-room hotel is currently being built not very far south of the Canad complex and Canad itself has apparently not even ruled out a second hotel complex in the metropolitan area.

The state of Greater Grand Forks' movie theaters has been a common complaint on this blog. Many readers have complained about what they see as dirty theaters, poor management, and high prices coupled with Carmike Cinema's local monopoly. For those disgruntled moviegoers, their "savior" arrived this year in the form of local businessman Bob Moore and his new River Cinema 12 located in East Grand Forks' Riverwalk Centre. According to virtually anyone you ask the new movie theater has been a resounding success in its first month of operation. Not only is this theater giving new options to residents; it is also pumping money and vibrancy into our metropolitan area's central business district.

In 2007, the "winners" were not the Holiday Inns or Carmike Cinemas of this community. Instead, the real winners were the homegrown businesses such as the Canad Inn and the River Cinema. Many readers of this blog routinely chastise some of us for focusing too much attention on national chains. I'm happy to say that 2007 saw successes in both chains and locally-owned ventures. Let's hope that healthy mix continues in 2008.

What about that monorail?

The other day, I came across a Herald clipping from 2002. This particular story was about the giant complex of museums and other amenities that a group called the New Horizons Decade group first proposed back in 2002. The complex was supposed to go directly north of the Alerus Center and stretch all the way to DeMers Avenue. In addition to a hotel and water park, the complex was supposed to include a collegiate hockey hall of fame, a collegiate aviation hall of fame, an agricultural museum, an automobile museum, an indoor golf facility, and themed restaurants. Oh yeah...and a monorail was supposed to connect all the buildings and possibly go all the way to the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Quite a complex, huh? Now it's 2007 and I'm left wondering what happened to the New Horizons Decade group and their grand plans. I've emailed an individual who used to be involved with the group to ask them these very question, but so far I haven't had a response. I've mentioned this as a possible news story idea to people at both the Herald and WDAZ, but no reporter has followed through. Tu-Uyen Tran wrote the article back in 2002 so maybe he could do a new article on where the group and the project stand today.

I realize that the hotel and the water park proposed in the plan have finally become a reality. Still, no museums or halls of fame line 42nd Street and I can't catch a ride on the monorail when I want to travel from the Ralph to the Big Al. Have the plans for the museums and other developments been cast aside? Was an effort ever made to raise funds for any of the buildings? What about all of that land between the Alerus Center and DeMers Avenue...is anything preventing the landowner(s) from selling it to commercial developers? If they were able to sell the land, wouldn't that be the last nail in the coffin for the New Horizons Decade complex?

I have to wonder if all of these museums really would have ever been able to make a go of it in a city this size. Still, I was thrilled back in 2002 to see local leaders planning on such a grand scale. When the story came out, I poured over the above picture and practically drooled over the proposal. I would love to see some type of complimentary developments fill the land in question adjacent to the Alerus Center. The Alerus/Canad complex is already huge...I would love for it to be a sort of "super complex."

'l Bistro to open on Monday

'l Bistro will open this coming Monday. The "Mediterranean eatery" will be the third and final restaurant to open in the new Canad Inns Destination Center hotel and water park complex north of the Alerus Center.

I've seen the interior of the restaurant and the place looks very nice. From what I have heard, 'l Bistro will have an upscale feel to it. I'm guessing this also means that it will have rather upscale prices. Aalto's and Tavern United (the other restaurants in the complex) are by no means the most affordable places to eat in town...especially Tavern United.

I had lunch at Tavern United last week and was a bit surprised by the prices. The food was good, but I couldn't help but notice that you could literally count the lunchtime customers on one hand. The English-style pub looks very busy on many evenings, but apparently has yet to catch on with the lunchtime crowd.

Overall, it appears as though business at the Canad complex has been very good since the recent opening. The parking lot is packed many nights. Perhaps that second hotel tower the company has talked about will become a reality after all.

Tavern United now open

Another restaurant has opened in the new Canad Inns Destination Center adjacent to the Alerus Center. According to Canad, Tavern United is "a new world sports pub." The theme is decidedly Irish and English.

Tavern United is located on the east side of the complex, next to the main Canad Inns entrance. Check out the menu.

On a related note, check out Marilyn's review of Aalto's. Aalto's is located just across the hallway from Tavern United in the Canad Inn complex.

Update - 5/21/2007 - 1:50 AM
Check out Dale's review of Tavern United.

Also, check out the Herald's rundown of local restaurant news. According to the article, the owner of Capone's says "she didn't feel like Capone's, a fine dining establishment, fit in with the Grand Forks restaurant scene." Well, if a fine dining establishment doesn't go over in Grand Forks, what choice do you have other than to move it to McVille, ND (pop. 470)? Sheer genius.

Canad Inn...wow

I've now had a chance to personally check out the new Canad Inns complex and I have to say that I am very impressed. The entire complex isn't quite done yet - two restaurants, an arcade, a "spa" of some sort, and quite a few of the guest rooms are yet to open - but I'm very pleased with what I see so far. I'm impressed with the attention to detail and the overall look and feel of the place. Also, the overall massiveness of the complex - and the fact that the complex is attached to the largest event center in the region - is hard to ignore. I wonder just how far it is from the main entrance of the Alerus Center all the way north to l'Bistro in the Canad? Any guesses?

I have to say that this place has to easily be the nicest hotel complex in the state/region. In my obviously biased opinion, it's part of a new trend in Grand Forks: we build the best. Ralph Engelstad didn't just build an ice arena; he built one of the nicest arenas in the world. Now, Canad Inns didn't just build a hotel in town; they built a 13-story hotel tower, the largest water park in the state, threw in a bunch of restaurants and bars, and attached the entire complex to the largest and most versatile event center in the region. The mere fact that a private company from outside the metropolitan area is willing to spend upwards of $50 million dollars to build such a complex in our little city personally makes me very happy.

Canad Inns now open

It isn't quite finished yet, but the new Canad Inns Destination Center is open for business in Grand Forks. I'm anxious to hear from people who have been to the Canad...those who have stayed at the hotel, eaten at the restaurant, or "tested" the water park. What are your thoughts?

Grand Forks should be very proud to have a development like this in our city. There is no other complex like this elsewhere in the state. I hope things go over really well for the complex. This is the culmination of a very long (but hopefully very rewarding) process. Welcome Canad!

Canad Inn floor plans

On their website, Canad Inns has just uploaded the floor plans for the new hotel, waterpark, and entertainment complex that will open this spring next to Grand Forks' Alerus Center. Check out the PDF version here or just click on the below image for a bigger version (you can zoom in on the PDF and get a very close look at the plans).


The floor plans detail every aspect of the complex's main floor. It looks like Tavern United will be located right in the front part of the hotel and will face 42nd Street. Aalto's Garden Cafe sits in the middle of the first floor, near the grand staircase leading to the upper levels. Playmaker's Gaming Lounge will be located on the west side of the building and will face I-29. The previously mentioned Garbanzo's has been replaced with a new restaurant concept: L Bistro.

Other items of note: the large arcade on the north side of the waterpark, the large "spa/fitness" area (?), and the two outdoor patios for Tavern United and L Bistro. The "Main Street" hall whichs runs east-west is also interesting. Canad has talked about building a second hotel tower west of the first tower. The "Main Street" corridor would likely extend into the second tower.

BTW, doesn't it look like the main north-south corridor which runs from the south side of the Alerus Center through the Canad complex ends at L Bistro? What about the movie theater (or whatever else they find to go north of the waterpark)...how would it be accessed from the current complex? It kind of makes me wonder if Canad is really expecting to find a tenant for the space.

This looks like quite a place!

Open Thread #2

So what are we gonna talk about...

How about the "topping ceremony" for the Canad Inns? Maybe your thoughts on the 20/20 Initiative? Hey...whatever happened to that casino?

Topics covered: Canad Inns, New Horizons group, live music in Grand Forks, South Washington Dairy Queen, Jamba Juice, the Royal Fork "post Golden Corral", new South Washington Valley Dairy

Canad Inn pics

Canad Inns has been regularly posting pictures of their Grand Forks construction project on their website...take a look.

The main hotel tower has now reached its full height of thirteen stories. Sometimes when they build tall buildings, the workers put a flag on the tallest point. Maybe they should put an American and Canadian flag on this tower? It would be kind of cool and I'm sure the Manitobans coming south on I-29 would like that...put 'em in a spending mood!


(Images - Canad Inns)

Grand Forks theaters: promises unfulfilled

The other night, I went to the Carmike 10 on 32nd Avenue South to see "The Black Dahlia". Aside from the fact that I came to the conclusion that there were only two (three at absolute tops) employees in the entire multiplex, I also couldn't help but think about all of those promises made to us about new movie theater construction and renovation projects in Grand Forks...all promises that have gone unfulfilled...

•A new 8-screen stadium-style theater attached to the Canad Inns/Alerus Center complex. It was originally even supposed to have full food service (eat a meal in your seat) as well as state-of-the-art audio and video.

•A new 12-screen stadium-style theater at Columbia Mall in the old Target store space. It was supposed to be a Wallace Theater. That would have been such a boost for the mall and would have created much needed competition for Carmike.

•A renovated Carmike 10 with new stadium seats in the theaters. Certainly needed!

•A revamped Columbia 4 turned into a discount theater. We need a discount theater in Grand Forks badly. I used to go to the old Plaza Twin at South Forks Plaza often...I wish I could still see a movie for $1 or $2 dollars. The Columbia 4 is far too outdated to expect people to accept it as a theater for first-run movies. It would be much better suited for a discount format.

And here we are...not one of these projects has happened. Carmike really needs competition and Grand Forks really needs more movie screens in much more modern theater environments. As it is, going to the movies in Grand Forks currently means you put on your old clothes (those seats...ewww) and pay way too much to sit through a movie with poor video and even worse sound. What a shame!

Newsbits: Kohl's, Canad, Olive Garden, etc.

A few business-related newsbits...

•Kohl's opening in October...
The Kohl's Department Store website states that the new Grand Forks store on 32nd Avenue will have its grand opening in October. This is also the month that the Wal-Mart Supercenter will be finished and when several new strip malls are supposed to open for business in different parts of the city. I'm still curious what we're going to see in the new strip malls.

•Canad Inns is getting taller...
This isn't really news for anyone who has taken a drive down 42nd Street lately, but the Canad Inns hotel tower is getting taller everyday. Right now, work seems to be focused on the 5th floor with some work also being done on the 6th floor. When all is said and done, the hotel will be 13 stories.

On a side note, Canad Inns is planning to build a new 19-story hotel in Winnipeg...read more here. Canad certainly seems to be on the grow.

•The Ultimate Grind has closed...
The Ultimate Grind - a fixture in the local coffee shop scene for the past decade or so - has shut its doors in the Columbia Mall. If memory serves me correctly, in the past the owner sent several letters to the Grand Forks Herald mailbag where he criticized the local community and the business climate. In my opinion, that isn't exactly a way to attract business to your establishment. Still, I don't like seeing local businesses go out of business. The Ultimate Grind had a good run and was one of the first coffee shops in town.

The owner reportedly had the mall sign a contract years ago that stated that no other coffee shop could operate in the mall while his business was there. Starbucks apparently wanted to open a store in the mall's Dakota Cafe food court late last year, but couldn't because of this. I wonder if Starbucks will take a second look at the mall now?

•Mysterious building site explained...
That mysterious construction site on 30th Avenue South near Columbia Mall and the hotels directly west of the mall has been bugging me for some time now. Today, I drove by the site and I think I know now what kind of a building is coming up there. There is a Greenberg Realty sign out in front that states that there is "office space for lease". So that's what it must be...an office building. I'm guessing its going to be a two story building.

I would have rather seen a new restaurant, but the lack of visibility from 32nd Avenue likely would have deterred potential dining establishments from setting up shop there. Oh well.

•Olive Garden on the way?
Coffee Guy has an interesting post at his blog - "Another Grand Forks Blog" - which suggests that an Olive Garden restaurant may be on the way to the new Kohl's development. I've heard this rumor before. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

OK...that's my business news fix for the day. I'm such a junkie.

Newsbits: Canad rising, dog park dilemma

••Take a drive down 42nd Street and look to the west...the walls are rising out of the ground for the lower floors of the Canad Inns tower. There has been plenty of work going on at the site for the past few months, but this past week saw the first time that any of the visible work was taking place above ground. I wonder when steel will start rising? Also, it looks like the foundation is pretty well in for the waterpark...can't be too long before the walls start to rise for that building too. There are so many piles of dirt and clay around the north side of the Alerus Center.

••Tu-Uyen says that the Lions Park (or whatever you want to call it) location is looking more and more like the spot for the new Grand Forks dog park. Great. You probably already know what I think about this.

Can't the city find a location that isn't right next to houses and apartments and that hasn't already been functioning as a park for years? What about my notion to fund a brand new dog park with some of the pet license fees in Grand Forks? Since the city deems the kind of dog park I'm looking for (one that isn't next to residential developments or isn't already a park) such an expensive undertaking, why not get creative with funding the project? As far as the location, what about Dakota's idea to locate a dog park adjacent to the Humane Society on North Washington? Seems like a good location to me.

If I were on the city council, I would think twice before locating a dog park next to major residential developments and on top of an already existing park. If they build such a facility, they are going to end up with some unhappy voters.

Update - 6/7/2006
I wasn't able to go to it, but a meeting was held on Tuesday about the Lion's Park location...read the Herald story. The article makes it sound like a dog park at the Lion's Park (or whatever you want to call it) location is basically now a sure thing. This has to be one of the oddest statements I've heard in quite a while: "The location is as removed as you can get from residential in the city." That comes from Steve Mullally, Park District superintendent of parks. Removed from residential areas? This is one of the denser parts of town! The area is ringed with apartments and there is a quiet residential neighborhood just northeast of the proposed dog park. One of the residents of that neighborhood, Dan O'Shea, was the only proponent of the dog park to show up at Tuesday's meeting (where was GrandForksGuy when you needed him???). He suggested that a better location for the dog park would be Ulland Park and I couldn't agree more. Ulland Park is not surrounded by homes and apartments and there would be plenty of space for parking. Why not build there? The Herald also has a story about the new Humane Society dog park which will soon be built. Wouldn't it be best for the city to watch how that dog park works and then use what it learns there to work out the kinks and build a much better city-owned dog park sometime down the road?

Canad Inns to build in Bismarck?

Canad Inns, the Winnipeg-based hotel chain that is currently building a $50 million dollar, 200 room, 13-story hotel and waterpark complex adjacent to Grand Forks' Alerus Center, is now proposing to build a $50 million dollar, 260 room, 16-story hotel and waterpark complex adjacent to Bismarck's Civic Center. Canad Inn's interest in the Bismarck market was first mentioned on Grand Forks Life in early February of this year...check out that post here.

I must say I'm a tad surprised to see Canad Inns proposing to build a project in Bismarck that is so similar (actually...even bigger) to what is currently under construction in Grand Forks. I thought our "destination center" was going to be such a unique thing for a city in a state like North Dakota? I thought that people would come from across the state to visit our waterpark because there would be nothing else like it anywhere else in the state? That is pretty much what Canad Inns said in the past when they were proposing the Grand Forks complex, but now they turn around and propose basically the same project in Bismarck. Hmmm.

Why such a big project connected to a facility like the Bismarck Civic Center? It is smaller than the Alerus Center or Fargodome and gets far fewer events. It is also much older than a facility like the Alerus Center and doesn't have the same level of familiarity or popularity throughout the state and region like the Alerus, Engelstad, or the Fargodome do.

When I think of the long road it took for Canad Inns to actually start construction in Grand Forks, I think I'll believe this project when I see it.

Bismarck Tribune articles about the proposal:
Canadian hotel pitches Civic Center plan
Canad outlines hotel's features

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

I haven't heard any of the other media around town mention this yet, but the General Manager of the currently under construction Canad Inns Destination Center hotel and waterpark has been named. A Mr. Jeff Jasperson will be filling this position. Not very newsworthy you say? Well, here's the interesting thing: Jasperson was previously the General Manager of the Seven Clans Casino-Hotel-Waterpark in Thief River Falls. The Seven Clans complex will be seeing heavy competition from the Canad Inns complex when that hotel and waterpark open next year. I remember the local media outlets talking with Jasperson in the past about how much of an impact the Canad Inns complex would have on his Seven Clans complex when it opens. Apparently, Canad Inns decided that if they are going to take some traffic away from Seven Clans, they might as well go all out and take their General Manager too. I would say it's a shrewd move on the part of Canad Inns. Few people must know the local hotel and waterpark businesses as well as Mr. Jasperson. Sounds like a good choice for Canad Inns and a step up for Mr. Jasperson.

On a related note, Canad Inns has been putting up some pictures of progress on the Grand Forks complex...check them out.

Building the future of Grand Forks

This year's construction season in Grand Forks should be one of the busiest in recent memory. However, the many projects that are already underway or will start soon are not all just your typical construction projects. This year, we are finally seeing the culmination of so much planning and waiting over so many important projects - some projects which have been on the drawing boards for years. Also, many of these projects will have a major impact on Grand Forks and may forever change the city. Let's look at some of these projects which could help to shape the Grand Forks of the future.

Work is now well underway on the Canad Inns hotel and waterpark next to the Alerus Center. At times, it seemed like this project would never move beyond the planning phase. However, the foundation is now in and steel will soon rise on this project that could have more of an impact on the community than any of us realize. We can argue over just how big of an impact the hotel/waterpark will have on the Alerus Center's bottom line, but it seems clear that the Canad Inns will bring in more people to shop in the city. Grand Forks will see increased business and that should, in turn, bring in more business to the city.

While the Canad Inns is the most visible construction project in Grand Forks, it is certainly not the only project underway that should have a big impact on the city's future. Another important project is the UND Parking Garage. This project has also spent a long time on the drawing boards, but equipment is now on site and earth will be moved shortly. The impact of the project should be clear. UND students/staff have long complained about parking conditions on campus. This project should alleviate at least some of these concerns. Also, it is worth noting that, when finished, this will be a very visible building in the city (right at the intersection of Columbia Road and University Avenue). The impact of this project will be hard to deny. There are more signs of progress on the campus. Construction continues on the massive Wellness Center and earth is being turned for a major new housing development near the heart of campus. These projects will all impact the university and the city for a long time to come.

Another important project is the new Elite Brownstones development that ground was just broken for downtown. The piece of land that used to house the Security Building - the burned and flooded skeleton of which became the symbol of the Flood of 1997's devastation - will now be home to another symbol...a symbol of renewal. This project is a sign that people are finally interested in returning to the long ignored downtown area of Grand Forks. Even though construction has just started, the condos were all snatched up months ago. This project is just the start of a long line of residential and retail developments which should, hopefully, repopulate downtown and bring it back to its rightful place as the center of the city.

There are many other projects scattered throughout the city that are currently underway or will soon start construction. On Monday, ground will be broken for the new National Center for Hydrogen Technology at UND's Energy and Environmental Research Center and work should start this summer on UND's new Technology Park in southwest Grand Forks. These two projects should bring the city many high-paying jobs and the potential for even more growth in the future. On the city's extreme southern side, work continues on the Stadter Center Psychiatric Hospital and medical complex. This development will be a major competitor for Altru Health System and should bring the residents of Grand Forks more choices in healthcare. Just this past week, walls started rising out of the field where Kohl's will soon stand and work continues on the new Wal-Mart Supercenter down the road. Lastly, we shouldn't ignore the project which will likely have the biggest impact on the city: the almost finished flood control system. This month, we have seen the necessity of such a system and the assurance which it offers us. This assurance makes this project the most important for the city's future.

Everywhere I turn, it seems like the future of Grand Forks is rising up before my eyes.

Time for another poll question!

I'm changing the Grand Forks Life poll again. You can click here to view the results from the previous poll question ("What would you most like to see attached to the new Canad Inns hotel/waterpark complex?"). A cinema topped the poll as the most wished for attraction at 41%. An outlet mall received 29% of the vote and a museum got 21%. A wellness center got just 3% of the total. The "Other" option stands at 6%. I'm not suprised to see that a cinema was the most desired attraction. This is the component that we were first introduced to when Canad Inns made their initial proposal some time back. There has been some question as to whether Canad Inns may seek another attraction to replace the cinema component, but I have heard that Canad is still in negotiations with at least one cinema company. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

The new question is "Which grocery store in Grand Forks will suffer the most from the Wal-Mart SuperCenter?". Happy voting!

Canad Inns "groundbreaking" on Wednesday

---Breaking News---
Groundbreaking for the Canad Inns hotel tower and entertainment complex will take place this Wednesday (March 6) at 3 P.M. I'm sure almost everyone is probably aware that ground was actually first "broken" a month or two ago. However, Wednesday will signal the official kickoff of construction and will feature the "gold shovel" ritual. Officals at the ceremony will include Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown, Canad Inns president Leo Ledohowski, and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. This has been a long time in coming!

New poll question!

I've taken down the old poll "Which restaurant would you most like to see in Grand Forks?". You can click here to view the results from that poll. I didn't find it too surprising that The Olive Garden was the top vote getter at 33%. It seems like people have been wishing for one of those for years now. It should be a sign to the company that Grand Forks really seems to want them here. The next most desired restaurant was Space Aliens with 28% of the vote. Rounding out the results were IHOP at 23% and Johnny Carino's with just 15% of the vote. Thanks to everyone who voted!

Time for a new question...
What would you most like to see attached to the new Canad Inns hotel/waterpark complex? By the way, if you answer "Other", please leave a little note here letting us know what you would wish for. Happy voting!

Happy Birthday, Alerus Center!

This month marks the 5th birthday of The Alerus Center. It seems like just yesterday that I attended the opening ceremony on February 10, 2001. Actually...it seems like just yesterday that I first became sold on the whole idea of The Aurora (that's what it was going to be called) back in the mid-90s. I was just a young teenager way back then, but I was really excited about the whole idea of an events center. I remember watching the returns from the special elections back in the late 90s with nervous anticipation. I literally clipped out each and every Grand Forks Herald article about the events center…it was that interesting and important to me.

Like any facility of this magnitude, The Alerus has had its ups and downs. Call me optimistic if you will, but I think the ups overwhelmingly outweigh the downs. Yes, there haven't always been as many concerts scheduled as we would all like to see and sometimes the attendance has been a bit weak. However, I don't see how anybody...even the Aurora-haters of the 90s...can ignore the benefits that this facility has had on our city. Pre-Alerus, literally no large concerts came to town and any exhibition that came had to go to the tragically outdated and very small Civic Auditorium. The Cher concert at The Alerus was the largest concert Cher has ever had...that's pretty incredible. Pre-Alerus, no one thought of Grand Forks as a "destination" for much of anything other than college and shopping on the weekends. Now, an outside company (Canad Inns) is spending $50 million on a "destination" center. Pre-Alerus, we had no real catalyst for community growth. Now, The Alerus, The Ralph, The Greenway, and many new retail developments are making our community more and more attractive to a growing number of new residents. We have new investments being made all over town, including downtown. Grand Forks is growing and The Alerus has had a hand in that growth.

The Alerus doesn't make money. In fact, it looses some each year. The Alerus was never supposed to make money! It brings people to town almost every day of the year and those people spend money at hotels, restaurants, stores, and golf courses. Sales tax revenues are up all of the time in Grand Forks and the Alerus is usually given some level of credit for being a factor in the growth. Stores and restaurants are seeing more and more customers all of the time. New stores and restaurants set up shop every year in town. Without the Alerus, we wouldn't have a company building a $50 million hotel and entertainment complex. Developments like that just don't get built everyday in North Dakota.

The Alerus has given us and, I believe, will continue to give us growth and opportunity.