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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Business is booming again in downtown Montgomery. Like most cities, the capital saw a decline in large-scale gatherings during the outbreak.
However, back-to-back events are filling the city’s calendar in the coming weeks, good news for the city’s tax base and downtown businesses.
More people are choosing to eat, shop and stay in Montgomery.
“We’re very busy right now, which is great,” said Ron Simmons with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, who he doesn’t foresee slowing down anytime soon.
4,000 people are expected in Montgomery for an Air Force technology conference later this month. It is expected to have an economic impact of more than seven million dollars.
“We see some big conferences here. Some sporting events coming up, and of course it’s always football season. So that helps,” Simmons said.
People come to downtown Montgomery from the area and across the country. Last weekend Buckmaster brought in about 20,000 people. And Montgomery’s biggest party, the Hog Days of Summer barbecue and music festival, is expected to fill the Train Shed this weekend.
“We’re a group of lifelong friends who grew up in Montgomery,” says Stuart Franco. “We all grew up going to Jubilee Cityfest and enjoying great music downtown, and we want to bring something like this back.”
Football is back. The Cramton Bowl will host this Saturday’s FCS Kickoff game.
Every sports bar in the United States has this game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. from Seattle to Palm Beach. So imagine the reach we have,” said Johnny Williams.
And the chamber hopes the exposure will get people not only to visit, but to work here and play here, and “we’ll be promoting people all over the region to drive to Montgomery,” Simmons said.
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