Grand Forks Area Names Head for Drone Development

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp. has named a retired Air National Guard colonel as senior manager for promoting unmanned aircraft systems.

Terry Sando is a 30-year Guard veteran who has been pegged to help the Grand Forks region with development of UAS systems. That includes the Grand Sky business park, which is planned at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

Sando tells the Grand Forks Herald he plans to use his experience to help the Grand Forks area become a worldwide hub for UAS business, education and training.

North Dakota is bidding to become one of six FAA test sites for unmanned aircraft systems. The site would be located near Grand Forks.