St. Paul-based Ecolab plans to close its Grand Forks office next July, the Herald reports. The facility has 144 full-time employees who support accounting, customer service, human resources, information technology and other administrative functions related to Ecolab's Pest Elimination business. Layoffs could begin as soon as January. Some employees may be able to work from home or take other jobs at Ecolab locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois or Indiana.

You can read the company news release below:

ST. PAUL, Minn. – October 18, 2012 – Ecolab Inc. today announced that it will close its Grand Forks, N.D., office by the end of July 2013. Work performed at the company’s Grand Forks office will transition to other company operations in the Midwest.

“Due to recent acquisitions, we are evaluating all of our facilities to ensure we are operating as effectively as we can, in fewer, more efficient facilities,” said Tom Handley, president and chief operating officer. “The decision to close our Grand Forks office was made after extensive analysis, and is not a reflection on the quality of our employees’ work or the great community of Grand Forks. Our Grand Forks team has supported the growth and success of our businesses for many years and we are grateful for their contributions.”

The 144 full-time employees currently working at the Grand Forks office support accounting, customer service, human resources, information technology and other administrative functions related to Ecolab’s Pest Elimination business. Many of those positions will transfer to other Ecolab locations.

Some employees at the Grand Forks office may have the opportunity to work remotely from home and some will have the opportunity to transfer to other Ecolab locations. The exact number of employees who will relocate, and specific locations, have not yet been determined.

Ecolab will provide severance benefits, including job transition support and employment assistance, to affected employees.

“We are committed to continuing to provide the high level of service in Greater Grand Forks and the Red River Valley that our customers expect from Ecolab,” Handley added.

Ecolab’s office in Grand Forks dates back to 1984 when the company acquired Lystads Inc.