text: Our presence in high growth markets throughout the Sunbelt, including California, Florida, Georgia, 
  Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, and in other domestic markets that have experienced 
  higher than average population growth during the past several years, supports our internal growth strategy. We 
  believe that our presence in these markets positions our company to experience growth at rates that are 
  generally higher than the industry's overall growth rate. 
  
  We continue to focus on enhancing stockholder value by implementing our Ñnancial, operating and 
  growth strategies as described below. 
  
  **Industry Overview**
  
  Based on analysts' reports and industry trade publications, we believe that the United States non- 
  hazardous solid waste services industry generates annual revenue of approximately $44.0 billion, of which 
  approximately 50% is generated by publicly-owned waste companies, 21% is generated by privately-held waste 
  companies, and 29% is generated by municipal and other local governmental authorities. Three companies 
  generate the substantial majority of the publicly-owned companies' total revenue. However, according to 
  industry data, the domestic non-hazardous waste industry remains highly fragmented as privately-held 
  companies and municipal and other local governmental authorities generate approximately 50% of total 
  industry revenue. In general, growth in the solid waste industry is linked to growth in the overall economy, 
  including the level of new household and business formation. 