Border States Breaks Ground on a New Branch in Grand Forks ND
Grand Forks, N.D. — July 12, 2019, Yesterday, Border States Electric (BSE) broke ground on a new $9 million 39,000 square foot office and warehouse facility in Grand Forks to replace the existing branch.
The new branch will have many new features for BSE’s customers and employee-owners including a “drive thru” area in the building so customers can drive in, pick up their orders and drive out to avoid, snow, rain, ice and wind. This larger facility sits on seven acres with a massive yard to store more material for customers.
“We exist to serve our customers,” said Tammy Miller, CEO. “This new facility will dramatically improve our customers’ experience and help them be even more successful.”
Border States was started by Jim Stolee and Buff Thompson in Grand Forks in 1952. They initially operated the business out of their homes — Stolee in Grand Forks and Thompson in Fargo, North Dakota. In the early 1960s, the company later moved into the Grand Forks office and warehouse where BSE is currently located on Mill Avenue.
BSE supplies products and services to construction, industrial and utility customers. The 100 percent employee-owned company is rated the seventh largest electrical distributor in the United States by Electrical Wholesaling magazine. BSE has approximately 2,600 employees and 100 branches in 22 states. The Branch Support Center is in Fargo, N.D.