Expo Holdings Inc. (EXPH)

[P2O I'm from MO]

Well, here's something that they won't be able to blame for the lack of sales... ☻

Next Biggest Boom Towns in the U.S.

What cities are best positioned to grow and prosper in the coming decade?

To determine the next boom towns in the U.S., Forbes, with the help of Mark Schill at the Praxis Strategy Group, took the 52 largest metro areas in the country (those with populations exceeding 1 million) and ranked them based on various data indicating past, present and future vitality.

Forbes started with job growth, not only looking at performance over the past decade but also focusing on growth in the past two years, to account for the possible long-term effects of the Great Recession. That accounted for roughly one-third of the score. The other two-thirds were made up of a a broad range of demographic factors, all weighted equally. These included rates of family formation (percentage growth in children 5-17), growth in educated migration, population growth and, finally, a broad measurement of attractiveness to immigrants — as places to settle, make money and start businesses.

8. Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte's low housing prices and short commute times makes it an attractive city for families looking to raise children. At the same time, it is building the infrastructure -- roads, cultural institutions, etc. -- critical to future growth. Charlotte's bustling airport may never be as big as Atlanta's Hartsfield, but it is increasingly plugged into both major national and international routes.