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County preparing for 2010 Census |
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Written by Andrew Powell
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Tuesday, 09 June 2009 |
A group of local volunteers is preparing for the 2010 Census, a national head count of U.S. citizens to take place early next year. While the actual head counting may not take place until April, current activity centers around informing the public of the importance of participation in the Census.
A group of local volunteers is preparing for the 2010 Census, a national head count of U.S. citizens to take place early next year. While the actual head counting may not take place until April, current activity centers around informing the public of the importance of participation in the Census.
“This is all about letting the public know the need to fill out those forms,” says Dale Turner, a regional coordinator for the 2010 Census. “It means so much to the community.”
Turner is helping organize a local Complete Count Committee, whose purpose is to host activities and provide information to the public prior to the April 2010 count. Over the next several months, the committee will plan a variety of informational activities and as well as disseminate information through the media regarding the Census process.
Turner said actual Census forms and door knocking will begin in March, 2010.
“We need the public to fill out those forms and mail them back in as soon as they get them,” Turner said. Turner noted that all information is confidential and used only to maintain demographics information for areas throughout the country.
However, the Census plays a very important in the future of each community. The population numbers, derived from the Census, are the primary mechanism for determining federal, state and local government districts as well as allocation of funding through state and federal programs.
“Any organization in your community that seeks out a grant will be first asked for population of the area,” Turner said. “Those numbers can mean the difference in a lot of money for the community so we want all the numbers up as much as possible, meaning everyone needs to be counted.”
Turner said a Census in recent decades actually showed a decline in Kentucky’s population resulting in a loss of a seat in the House of Representatives.
The National Census Day will take place on April 1, 2010. Following that date, information will be compiled for submittal to President Obama on December 31. Following his review, the data will be released to the public. The federal Census is conducted only every 10 years, the last taken in 2000.
Turner noted that Census jobs in the area might be available, especially early next year when Census representatives are sent into the community to ensure forms have been completed and mailed in. Anyone interested in learning more about employment availability should visit www.2010census.gov.
In the coming weeks, the local Complete Count Committee, along with partners from businesses and organizations in the community, will meet to determine its 2010 Census awareness campaign. Anyone interested in assisting with this volunteer-based committee should contact committee chair Adam Phillips at (606) 376-3008.
To learn more about the 2010, and your role in this endeavor, please visit www.2010census.gov. It’s in our hands.
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