Belgrade is growing — and fast. The city is seeing a surge of new businesses, from Rivian, an electric vehicle company, to new hotels, and even a mysterious new building next to Mackenzie River Pizza.

With so much development underway, local residents have mixed feelings about the changes.

At a Town Pump in Belgrade, Jessica — who grew up in a small town — said the growth isn’t for her.

“So many people moving in. Stores, hotels — you name it,” she said.

Roy, who has lived in Belgrade for nearly a decade, sees positives and negatives.

“It’s good that business growth is expanding. It provides jobs. But I hate to see the people growth that comes with it,” he said.

To get a clearer picture of just how much Belgrade has grown, city officials offered some perspective.

“When I started, it

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