In terms of employment for spouses and significant others, this area offers many interesting opportunities. It's a northern hub for transportation, distribution and trade. In addition to supporting a strong agricultural base, the Red River Valley has established itself as a center for business and industry development, especially in the area of technology.

Metropolitan Area Major Employers:

Firm name Business type Employees* MeritCare Health System Healthcare Services 6100 North Dakota State University Education/Training 3745 Noridian Mutual Insurance Company Insurance 2033 American Crystal Sugar Company Food Processors 2000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Insurance 1800 Fargo Public School District Number One Education/Training 1300 Dakota Clinic, Ltd. Clinics - Medical 1104 Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Events Center Casinos 1000 Microsoft Computers-Software/Services 960 US Bank Service Center Business Services 925 Moorhead Area Public Schools Education/Training 800 West Fargo Public School District #6 Education/Training   789 CNH America LLC Agriculture - Equipment 765 City of Fargo Government/Military 702 Concordia College Education/Training 662 Department of Veterans Affairs Hospitals 655 Scheels All Sports, Inc. Sporting Goods 625 Minnesota State University Moorhead Education/Training 624 Phoenix International Corp. Manufacturers 600 Innovis Health Hospitals 580 Hornbacher's Foods, Administration Grocers 540 Dakota Magic Casino & Hotel Casinos 506 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Financial Institutions 465 Aggregate Industries Concrete Products 450 Prairie St. John's Hospitals 425 FARGODOME Arts/Entertainment 420 State Bank & Trust Financial Institutions 420 PRACS Institute, Ltd. Research and Development 419 Cass County Commission & Department Heads Government/Military 410 DMS Health Group Medical Equipment/Supplies 400 Wanzek Construction, Inc. Contractors - General 400 Up/Stream LLC Call Centers 395 U.S. Postal Service Shipping/Delivery 388 Bobcat Company Manufacturers 370 Eventide Nursing Homes 351 Bethany Homes Assisted Living 350 Fargo Park District Recreation 350 Integrity Windows and Doors Manufacturers 350

*The listing represents member firms of the Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo Chambers of Commerce (October 2006). Employee numbers are based on full-time equivalents.