CONSENT FORM

You are invited to take part in a research study being conducted by Professor Thomas Krueger, DBA, a researcher from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and funded by Kleberg Bank and the Texas A&M University-Kingsville College of Business Administration. You may contact the Principal Investigator, Thomas Krueger, DBA to tell him about a concern or complaint about this research at 361-230-9117 or thomas.krueger@tamuk.edu. The information in this form is provided to help you decide whether or not to take part. If you decide to take part in the study, you will be asked to read this consent form. If you decide you do not want to participate, there will be no penalty to you, and you will not lose any benefits you normally would have.

The purpose of this study is to gather information about individual perceptions regarding recent and anticipated economic conditions. You will be asked to answer eight multiple choice questions. There are no risks greater than encountered in everyday life or costs incurred in taking the survey. Aside from your time, there are no costs for taking part in the study and you will not be paid for answering this survey. There are no direct benefits to you, however the information will be presented at the 2024 Economic Forum and posted on the website of the Texas A&M-Kingsville College of Business Administration. Approximately 425 residents will be surveyed.

The records of this study will be kept private. No identifiers linking you to this study will be included in any sort of report that might be published. For questions about your rights as a research participant, to provide input regarding research, or if you have questions, complaints, or concerns about the research, you may call the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Institutional Review Board at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs by phone at 361-593-2677, or by email at ResearchCompliance@tamuk.edu.

This research is voluntary and you have the choice whether or not to be in this research study. You may decide to not begin or to stop participating at any time.

STATEMENT OF CONSENT

You agree to be in this study and know that you are not giving up any legal rights by agreeing to participate. The procedures, risks, and benefits have been explained to you, and all questions have been answered. You know that new information about this research study will be provided to you as it becomes available and that the researcher will tell you if you must be removed from the study A copy of this entire consent form will be given to you. You confirm that you are 18 years of age or older.

INVESTIGATOR'S AFFIDAVIT:

Either I have or my agent has carefully explained to the participant the nature of the above project. I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the person who read this consent form was informed of the nature, demands, benefits, and risks involved in his/her participation.

This research project has been reviewed by the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Institutional Review Board for the protection of human subjects. For questions, complaints, or concerns about the research, you may contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

by phone at 361-593-2677, or by email at ResearchCompliance@tamuk.edu

PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY ONLY ONCE!
The information you supply will be used in compiling insights reported in the 2024 Economic Forum booklet, which will be published in conjunction with the October 29, 2024 Economic Forum. All information you supply will be kept confidential.

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last name

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* 3. Primary e-mail (So a "thank you" can be sent)

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* 4. Which of the following best describe you?

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* 5. I think the United States’ economy is:

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* 6. I think the local economy is:

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* 7. I think a year from now, my family will be:

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* 8. “My community (i.e., Kleberg County) is supportive of business owners.”

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* 9. “State and local government are supportive of business owners.”

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* 10. “Texas A&M–Kingsville is supportive of business owners”.

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* 11. Place a rank of 1 by the most important concern, 10 by the least important concern. Every item should get a different ranking.

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* 12. Assume that Kleberg County receives a grant allowing it to spend an additional $100 (in thousands). How would you direct the government officials to allocate this money? (Total of distributed amounts should equal $100. You can forgo funding of one or more accounts.)

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