Jetting off to China, countless trips to Sydney and the nation’s capital, and now off to ‘Music City, USA’, Nashville.

Understandably, when the mayor and council staff are taking flight for regular “economic development” trips around the globe, the humble ratepayers left at home want to know what’s in it for them.

When Tamworth Regional Council jetted-off to Shanghai earlier this year, many asked what was set to be gained.

The business chamber stuck its hand up to join the trip and returned saying thousands of jobs could be created in Tamworth on the back of talks in China.

Council signed an MOU with a Chinese company, which could be eyeing off a $150 million solar power investment in the region, on the back of the most recent trip.

It’s non-binding, but undoubtedly huge if it comes off.

The aim with the current trip to Nashville is almost loftier.

Council’s visiting its big sister in the US city with hopes of following in the elder siblings footsteps when it comes to growth and industrial prosperity.

Previously, the sister cities had traded notes on what they each know best, country music festivals.

Now it’s about making Tamworth a city where children can grow up, get a degree and a professional job all within the 2340 postcode.

For perspective, Nashville has a population of more than 600,000, 10 times bigger than Tamworth.

Catching up, or even keeping up, with Nashville’s advances is a long row to hoe.

It’s pie in the sky stuff, but maybe not if you’re the Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who says Tamworth will be the size of Toowoomba in 20 years.

If we want to keep the beat with Australia’s largest regional city, there may be sense in seeing how it’s done in the big leagues.

But is there a need to go to the opposite side of the globe for inspiration on “economic development”?

TRC is happy to cross continents in search of investment and inspiration, but are opportunities going beeging close to home.

When’s council’s next trip over the border to Toowoomba?

According to our federal member, Mr Joyce, it’s a crystal ball for Tamworth’s future in a couple of decades.