The Strength of a Region  In 1963, Nashville became the first
large U.S. city to adopt a consolidated city-county government.
This pioneering metropolitan system of government has been key
to our rapid growth as a city and region. Today, the Nashville
Economic Market spans 10 counties and a population of 1.8
million, and Nashville-Davidson County is currently the largest
metropolitan area in a five-state region. The Nashville
metropolitan area forms the nucleus of a strong region that
shares assets such as workforce, infrastructure, and quality-of-
life amenities.  The strength of Nashville/Davidson County,
coupled with the amenities and attractiveness of the surrounding
counties, has resulted in a region that is able to compete in
the world economy. With a diverse mix of industries and a broad
base of regional stakeholders, Middle Tennessee is well-
positioned for future prosperity.  "By leveraging the assets of
the region as a whole, we have built a true regional partnership
that is now a national model. This