Balloons bring bucks

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — Analysis of October’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta finds its economic impact on the region exceeded $200-million. Researcher Forward Analytics reports the 9-day event attracted 838-thousand visitors, with about 85-percent of those coming from out-of-town. 58-percent of those came to Albuquerque for the sole purpose of attending the Balloon Fiesta. The total benefit to the state came in at $216-million, up $13-million from the year before.