Atlanta metro area has a million more people than Boston, have you heard? And more corporate headquarters. Atlanta has the world’s busiest airport for many years now, and the largest aquarium, etc. It is the hottest place to make movies outside of Hollywood these days. Who considers it an underdog?? The city isn’t emerging – it surpassed other cities a long time ago in countless ways. Why would Boston be considered a “major hub” compared to Atlanta? The city also has a “voice” for decades now – CNN that is heard around the world. If people outside the South haven’t been paying attention, that explains why they are being surpassed.