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If you spend any time in Rio Rancho, you’re likely to see several construction projects nearing completion.

One that Mayor Gregg Hull said he got a lot of calls about is a new Chick-fil-A going in near Southern and Unser.

Hull said it’s not just fast food that’s quickly making its way to Sandoval County.

“I like to say Rio Rancho is open for business,” Hull said. And lately, he said business is booming.

Retail shops are popping up all over the city. In the last six months, Hull said a lot of activity is going on near Unser and Westside near Rust Medical Center. The new tower at that facility is almost finished.

“That’s going to add about a hundred professional jobs,” Hull said.

Another health care clinic across the street is adding jobs, too. Hull said he expects anywhere from 80 to 100 new positions at that single business.

That’s all on the southern side of town, but take a drive north and you’ll see the same thing. Enchanted Hills is one example Hull points out.

Right now, you can see the framework for a new mall.

“That’s a huge investment,” Hull said. “That’s the first shopping plaza that’s come out of the ground in a long time.”

Hull said, right now, more than a dozen stores are already committed to that space. He said that means more places for people to shop locally in Rio Rancho.

“There are some exciting things going on in the whole development world,” Hull said. “That really makes it attractive for people to come here, buy a house and settle down and really have that live, work, play feeling.”

Rio Rancho Area Chamber of Commerce President Debbi Moore said she’s seen a spike in new business opening in the last few months and expects that to continue through the summer.