Fargo, North Dakota, and neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota, have built a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most stable and resilient metro regions. In August 2026, the Fargo-Moorhead metro area posted a 2.2% unemployment rate, compared with the national rate of 4.1%. That strength set the tone at this year’s Fargo-Moorhead Commercial Real Estate Summit, where real estate, architecture, and construction leaders explored what is fueling the region’s momentum and where opportunities may emerge next.
PCL Construction brings a builder’s perspective to that conversation. Since establishing a presence in the Midwest over 40 years ago, PCL has continued to expand across the region as client and market needs have grown. In 2024, the company established an official office in Fargo, pairing a local team with experience and resources from projects across the Midwest and North America. That combination gives PCL a close view of the forces shaping Fargo-Moorhead and the planning considerations that can help future developments succeed.
Here are five takeaways from the summit and what they mean for the region’s next phase of growth.
1. Manufacturing and Innovation Are Driving Growth
Fargo-Moorhead’s economic diversity remains one of its greatest strengths. Rather than relying on a single sector, the region draws from manufacturing, healthcare, technology, agriculture, energy, education and infrastructure. Employers and innovators, including Microsoft, Bobcat, John Deere Electronic Solutions, Bushel and Aldevron, have helped establish the area as a manufacturing center and a growing hub for advanced manufacturing, agricultural technology, autonomous systems and bioscience.
“The industrial and manufacturing markets are really gaining speed here in the Fargo region,” says Corey Andeen, business development manager for PCL Construction’s Fargo office. “We’ve got quite a few manufacturers that are looking at the area because Fargo is a growing market with a strong workforce and a business environment that’s easy to navigate.”
For companies evaluating the market, diversity can support long-term confidence. It also raises the importance of project teams that understand local labor, site and procurement conditions while bringing relevant experience from other industrial markets.
2. Infrastructure Investment Is Unlocking New Land
One of the most significant topics at the summit was the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project, a long-term flood protection initiative designed to protect more than 235,000 residents, businesses and critical infrastructure across the metro area. Floodplain designations have historically limited development around Fargo and Moorhead, but as the diversion project nears completion and floodplain maps are updated, local leaders expect new opportunities for residential, commercial and industrial development.
“A lot of mixed-use land will become available for a wide range of developments,” says Andeen.
The impact reaches beyond land availability. New development will require coordinated planning for utilities, roads, housing and workforce needs. Early evaluation of sites and infrastructure requirements can help owners understand risk, budget more accurately and make informed decisions before design is advanced.
3. Housing and Workforce Are Closely Linked
Housing emerged as one of the region’s most pressing challenges. Demand for both single-family and multifamily housing remains strong, but limited land availability and financing constraints have slowed new development. Panelists said additional housing will be critical to supporting population growth, attracting workers and giving expanding employers confidence that the region can accommodate their teams.
“The benefit of residential projects extends beyond housing itself,” says Ryan Richardson, area manager for PCL’s Fargo office. “They help support the businesses that want to move into town and attract the people needed to fill those jobs.”
4. Owners Want Early Collaboration, Not Just Low Cost
Early planning and client collaboration are becoming a competitive advantage in Fargo-Moorhead. Owners are prioritizing cost certainty, accurate budgeting, risk management, speed of delivery and local market knowledge when selecting project partners. Those priorities make early contractor involvement especially valuable, allowing construction considerations to inform design and helping teams identify challenges before they affect schedule or cost.
“PCL really shines in the preconstruction phase,” says Andeen. “Getting involved with the architect from the outset, building strong relationships and delivering accurate budgeting up front.”
Richardson agrees, noting that owners are looking for partners who understand their business objectives, not just their construction needs.
“They’re looking for construction partners who understand their business and provide that value, not just the lowest cost,” he says. “They need someone to take hold of the process and make sure their best interests are at the forefront.”
Construction manager at risk remains a preferred delivery method across North Dakota, and Richardson expects collaborative models, such as public-private partnerships, to gain traction as well.
5. Relationships Still Close the Deal
Even as Fargo-Moorhead grows and attracts new investment, relationships remain central to how business gets done. Trust, responsiveness and community involvement continue to shape business decisions in a market where many professional relationships have been built over decades.
“In Fargo, projects are won on trust long before they’re won on price,” says Andeen.
That relationship-driven culture may be one of the region’s greatest competitive advantages. As new companies, residents and investments enter the market, local leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the collaborative approach that has helped the region grow. While Fargo-Moorhead continues to evolve, its success has been built on a willingness among owners, developers, public agencies and industry partners to work together toward shared goals.
Mindy Bohumolski is Marketing & Communications Manager with PCL Construction.
