Business

Bigger towns might consider it a boondoggle or an eyesore. But the depressed West Texas ranching town of Marfa (pop. 2,500) is delighted about the economic benefit of a 240-ft. radar surveillance balloon that the Customs Service has tethered nearby and plans to fly at an altitude of 14,000 ft. One of six in a planned network along the Mexican border, the helium-filled aerostat can spot suspected drug-smuggling planes up to 200 miles away, then flash data to authorities who will try to intercept the aircraft.

The Marfa installation alone will cost $18 million. Its benefits include some 30 new technical jobs, an annual payroll of $1 million and perhaps a few carloads of tourists drawn to the remote prairie for a look at what townsfolk fondly call the "big, pregnant whale." Says local newspaper editor Robert Halpern: "This is a real shot in the arm for retail sales and real estate -- and community pride too. We used to get attention for our cow pastures. Now people know we're doing all we can to fight the drug war."