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Invest in North Dakota
A short guide for companies expanding into North Dakota: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. North Dakota at a glance
Population
799,358
The population was 799,358 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$82.3 billion
GDP was US$82,349.8 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$103,020
GDP per person was US$103,019.9 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from the Bureau of Economic Analysis's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
0.5%
Real GDP grew 0.5 percent in 2025, the Bureau of Economic Analysis's published percent change, after 2.3 percent in 2024.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route, North Dakota’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA names the North Dakota Department of Commerce as the state economic development organization for North Dakota.
Source: International Trade Administration, SelectUSA state offices, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
No single North Dakota portal for business registration and tax together was found; the Secretary of State registers entities and the Tax Commissioner issues sales tax permits separately.
Source: Century Code chapter 57-39.2, sales tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chapter 47-10.1 bars a foreign government from acquiring agricultural land after June 30, 2023 and limits holdings by other noncitizens, except Canadians and permanent residents, and by business entities.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 2 foreign-trade zones in North Dakota.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Show 10 more
After June 30, 2023, a foreign government may not acquire or hold North Dakota agricultural land, except holdings from before July 1, 2023; the term excludes Canada's government.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Other noncitizens, except Canadians and permanent residents, may hold agricultural land only under every listed condition, including a dairy operation, at most 640 acres and ten months' yearly residence.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A partnership, limited liability company or other entity may not acquire agricultural land unless its ultimate beneficial owners are United States citizens or permanent residents.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A state-controlled enterprise of a foreign government may hold up to 160 acres of agricultural land for research on seed, fertilizer, pesticides, soil amendments, plants or biologicals.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A foreign corporation or limited liability company may buy agricultural land for an industrial site only if it signs construction contracts within 150 days of the purchase.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Violating chapter 47-10.1 is a class A misdemeanor, and the attorney general may sue, and land not divested within one year of a court order is sold at public sale.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The agriculture commissioner monitors reports filed under the federal Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act and makes them available to the public.
Source: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Century Code chapter 10-06.1 prohibits corporations and limited liability companies from owning or leasing farmland or ranchland or farming, except as the chapter allows.
Source: Century Code chapter 10-06.1, corporate farming (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Century Code sections 11-11-70 and 40-05-26, which barred development by a foreign adversary in counties and cities, show as expired under 2023 session law chapter 109.
Source: Century Code chapter 11-11, section 11-11-70 status (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The legislature's table of sections affected by the 2025 session lists no change to chapter 47-10.1 or to sections 11-11-70 and 40-05-26.
Source: Legislative Assembly, 2025 session laws, sections affected (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in North Dakota
- Register a foreign corporation with the Secretary of State by applying for a certificate of authority, with a certificate of good standing.North Dakota Secretary of StateFiling fee US$145Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 10-19.1, business corporations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register a foreign limited liability company with the Secretary of State by applying for a certificate of authority, with a certificate of good standing.North Dakota Secretary of StateFiling fee US$135Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 10-32.1, limited liability companies (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Apply to the Tax Commissioner for a sales tax permit for each place of business before you sell at retail.North Dakota Office of State Tax CommissionerOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 57-39.2, sales tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Set up state income tax withholding with the Tax Commissioner before you pay wages for work done in North Dakota.North Dakota Office of State Tax CommissionerOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 57-38, income tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 2 more set-up steps
- Check whether you meet the unemployment compensation law's employer test before you hire, and ask Job Service North Dakota how to register.Job Service North DakotaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Century Code chapter 52-01, unemployment compensation definitions (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask the Department of Commerce to certify the business as primary sector before you apply for state tax incentives.North Dakota Department of CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Commerce, financing and incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Commerce Department. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every North Dakota body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
State economic development agency
Commerce Department
North Dakota Department of Commerce
Certifies primary sector businesses for state tax incentives and runs the Development Fund and other business finance programs.
Visit Commerce Department (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Commerce, business tax incentives page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State business filings office
Secretary of State
North Dakota Secretary of State
Issues certificates of authority to foreign corporations and foreign limited liability companies that transact business in the state.
Visit Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)Source: Century Code chapter 10-19.1, business corporations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
State-owned bank
Bank of North Dakota
Offers low-interest business loans with a lead lender, as the nation's only state-owned bank.
Visit Bank of North Dakota (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Commerce, finance programs page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Tax Commissioner
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
Administers the state's income, sales and use and withholding taxes and publishes quarterly taxable sales figures.
Visit Tax Commissioner (opens in a new tab)Source: Tax Commissioner, home page news, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Airport authority and zone grantee
Fargo Airport Authority
Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo
Holds Foreign-Trade Zone 267 in the Fargo area and operates Hector International Airport.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Wheat checkoff and promotion board
Wheat Commission
North Dakota Wheat Commission
Invests grower checkoff money in wheat market development, research and education, including promotion of Hard Red Spring and durum wheat abroad.
Visit Wheat Commission (opens in a new tab)Source: North Dakota Wheat Commission, home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
GNDC
Greater North Dakota Chamber
Speaks for North Dakota employers on state policy and runs the North Dakota Manufacturing Council, the state association of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Visit GNDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater North Dakota Chamber, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
Chapter 47-10.1 bars foreign governments from acquiring agricultural land after June 30, 2023 and limits other noncitizens, except Canadians and permanent residents; chapter 10-06.1 limits corporate farming.
What to do: Check chapters 47-10.1 and 10-06.1 with counsel before you buy or lease farmland.
Sources: Century Code chapter 47-10.1, agricultural land ownership by aliens (opens in a new tab); Century Code chapter 10-06.1, corporate farming (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Business income tax
The Legislative Council's 2026 Finance Facts gives North Dakota's corporate income tax rates as 1.41 to 4.31 percent, and chapter 57-38.4 adds 3.5 percent under a water's edge election.
What to do: Ask a tax advisor whether the water's edge election suits your group before you file.
Sources: Legislative Council, North Dakota Finance Facts, 2026 (opens in a new tab); Century Code chapter 57-38.4, water's edge election (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Child care tax credit
For taxable years after 2024, 2025 session law chapter 558 gives employers an income tax credit of 50 percent of child care contributions, up to US$1,000 counted per employee.
What to do: Ask the Tax Commissioner how to claim the child care contribution credit before you set employee benefits.
Sources: Legislative Assembly, 2025 session laws, taxation chapters (opens in a new tab); Century Code chapter 57-38, income tax (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Tax incentive disclosure
Under 2025 session law chapter 552, the Tax Commissioner must disclose to legislative chairmen on request the amount of tax incentives claimed after 2024, without the taxpayer's name.
What to do: Expect the amount of any state tax incentive you claim to be reported to legislators.
Source: Legislative Assembly, 2025 session laws, taxation chapters (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
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Promote:North Dakota is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.