Business in downtown Montgomery is booming again

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Business is booming again in downtown Montgomery. Like most cities, the capital has seen a drop in large-scale gatherings during the pandemic.

However, back-to-back events fill the city’s calendar over the next few weeks, good news for the city’s tax base and for downtown businesses.

More and more people are choosing to eat, shop and stay in Montgomery.

“We’re extremely busy right now, which is really good,” said Ron Simmons of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, who says he doesn’t expect it to slow down any time soon. .

Later this month, 4,000 people are expected in Montgomery for an Air Force technology conference. It is expected to have an economic impact of over $7 million.

“We’re going to see some big conferences that are here. A few sporting events coming up, and of course, it’s still football season. So that helps,” Simmons said.

People come from the area and all over the country to downtown Montgomery. Last weekend, Buckmaster brought in about 20,000 people. And Montgomery’s biggest party, the Hog Days of Summer Barbecue and Music Festival is set to pack the Train Shed this weekend.

“We are a group of longtime friends who grew up in Montgomery,” Stuart Franco explained. “We all grew up going to Jubilee Cityfest and listening to great music downtown, and we kind of wanted to bring something like that back.”

Football is also back. Cramton Bowl will host this Saturday’s FCS Kickoff game.

“It will be on, it will be in every sports bar restaurant in the United States that has this game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., from Seattle to Palm Beach. So think about the reach we have,” Johnny Williams said.

And the chamber hopes that kind of exposure will inspire people not just to visit but also to work here and play here, “and we’re doing publicity all over the region to drive people here to Montgomery,” Simmons said. .

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