Downtown Huntsville advocates say the thing they need most to grow the urban core is more people working day jobs there – not just living in the new apartments rising in several spots – but working in downtown offices.

“While events attract and introduce people to downtown,” Downtown Huntsville Inc. President & CEO Rob Buddo said in 2023 review released this week, “increasing daytime employment headcount is crucial for sustained vibrancy. Downtown employees support our food, beverage and retail businesses.”