University researchers who study the positive impact Winter Texans have on the Rio Grande Valley economy need your input. Every two years the Winter Texan Times helps the local university collect information about the Winter Texans that visit the Rio Grande Valley. So, it’s that time again – We need your help.

This week, the Winter Texan Times includes the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Winter Texan Survey as an insert in the newspapers. We invite our readers to complete the survey, and in so doing, be entered in a drawing for $150 cash prize.

The easiest way to complete the survey is online. UTRGV has created an easy-to-use web form and there is a link to it on the home page of our website at www.wintertexantimes.com. You can also find the survey form online at http://utrgv.edu/wintertexan.

If you, or your neighbor, do not get a copy of our paper with an insert, please visit the online survey.

A survey of Winter Texans and their economic impact on the Rio Grande Valley is conducted every two years by the UTRGV Tourism Research Center, with the assistance from the Winter Texan Times in distributing the survey. The survey is an important tool for the university Tourism Research Center to measure the economic impact of Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley.

All information is kept confidential. The data will be tabulated, and only statistical information will be made public. The information is vital to the tourism department as they share the numbers with business in the Rio Grande Valley. It is also used to find out what we need to do as a community to keep you coming to the Valley and ensure that we are providing the services you want to see while you stay in the Valley.

To enter the prize drawing, fill out the survey completely and mail it to the Tourism Research Center at the address printed on the form no later than February 24. Survey forms may also be dropped off at the Winter Texan Times office, located at 1217 N. Conway, Mission. All survey forms received by Monday, February 24 will be entered in the drawing, including those completed online. Online submissions are preferred. Only one survey per household will be permitted.