[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...aa3dcdd7be.html

LAPORTE COUNTY | A weeklong series of fireworks shows in August outside LaPorte had a $3.5 million impact on the local economy, according to the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The organization recently reported a powerboat race in Michigan City last month made a $7.2 million economic impact on the county.

Jack Arnett, executive director of the bureau, said he's very pleased with the numbers from both events.

"It's wonderful to see how popular LaPorte County has become as a destination for events like this, and that shows with the large numbers of dollars that are spent here by the folks who attend these events," Arnett said.