Also known as Athens-Clarke County (following the 1990 move to unify two governments), Athens is the birthplace of American higher education: in 1785, the University of Georgia was founded as the nation’s first land-grant institution. Along with UGA, technical schools and colleges boosted the city’s standing in our Universities category (#8) and Product overall (#30), the latter also including its #24 ranking for Convention Center: the Classic Center hosts an average of 660 events a year, outperforming similar venues in larger cities two to one. The city has spawned several famous musical acts, including REM and the Black Crowes, and is widely considered to have launched “alternative” music. Its arts and entertainment scenes continue to thrive. The “Classic City,” situated 70 miles east of Atlanta, ranked #27 for Programming overall, including high rankings in Culture (#13), Nightlife (#33) and Restaurants (#49). Creatives and college students enjoy everything from the Georgia Museum of Art to the annual AthFest, which draws close to 200 bands. Agribusiness is a major economic driver, too, as is tourism: a proposed Classic Center expansion would generate an additional $33 million per year in economic impact, an increase of 100,000 hotel room nights and more than 600 jobs.