Wednesday (August 12th) is the Official “Census Day of Action”; Alabama is Counting on You!

Alabama businesses are encouraged to take part in the Census Day of Action on Wednesday (August 12th) and allow employees a brief break during the workday to fill out their census forms. 

The 2020 census is vitally important to the well being of our state – and unfortunately there are still many who haven’t taken time to complete their form – which only takes around six minutes.  The census can be completed on-line, by phone or by traditional paper form. 

Tuesday morning, WEIS Radio spoke with Cherokee County Probate Judge Tim Burgess and he explained just how important taking part in the Census is, especially in regard to growth in the job sector and attracting new industry:

When the Census was conducted back in 2010, 72% of Alabamians participated; the Census data drives funding used for Assistance Programs which support children, health care and education along with rural development and more.  A few programs supported by federal dollars include School Lunch programs, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children and Section 8 housing – in addition to Community Service Block Grants and Dislocated Worker Grants.

Census packets were mailed to Alabama homes back in mid-March, that form has 10 simple questions and typically take around six minutes to complete.  Every resident of Alabama is encouraged to complete the form and mail it in.   Again, the form can also be completed on-line by simply using a computer or smartphone at www.my2020census.gov or call -1-844-330-2020. 

Judge Burgess made this appeal to the business owners of Cherokee County:

The WEIS Radio mobile unit was in Centre last Saturday assisting residents with the on-line Census applications free of charge, and we’ll be in Cedar Bluff this Saturday (August 15th) –  in the in the Piggy Wiggly parking lot from 9:30 – 11:30 that morning, to provide assistance to  those that have not yet completed their Census form.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and Alabama Counts! — in partnership with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) and the National Federation of Independent Business, Alabama Chapter (NFIB) — announced today that Wednesday, Aug. 12, will serve as the Census Day of Action for Alabama Businesses. 

Dubbed “Drop Everything, Get Counted” Day, businesses owners, CEOs and upper management are asked to provide opportunities for all employees to set aside time to participate in the Census if they have not done so already. 

If Alabama’s count falls shy of the 72 percent participation rate recorded in the 2010 Census, the state would experience reduced representation in Congress, the loss of millions of dollars in Census-derived community funding and reduced economic development opportunities. 

Currently, Alabama stands at a 60.6 percent response rate. 

“Local chambers of commerce are a proud partner for the upcoming ‘Drop Everything, Get Counted’ Business Census Day on August 12,” said Jeremy Arthur, president and CEO of CCAA. “Alabama chambers represent over 60,000 businesses that collectively employee over 1 million working Alabamians every day. Just as those businesses are vital to our state’s economy, they are also essential partners to help us ensure a complete census count. Alabama’s business community will show just how important completing your census is by making sure every Alabama worker gets counted.” 

In addition to allowing employees’ time to take their Census, business owners are encouraged to be creative in their methods to promote “Drop Everything, Get Counted” Day and ensure they see a 100-percent staff participation rate.                 

The last day to take part in the 2020 Census is Sept. 30. Alabamians can participate in the 10- question Census online at my2020Census.gov, by phone at 1-844-330-2020 or by traditional paper form. Any information given in the 2020 Census is protected by strict federal law. 

“Drop Everything, Get Counted” Day coincides with the week that U.S. Census Bureau workers will begin following up with Alabama households that have not yet self responded to the 2020 Census. The workers are equipped with personal protective gear and have been trained to maintain social distance and to adhere to state and local safety guidelines. Workers will begin visits the week of Aug. 11 and continue until Sept. 30. Alabamians who wish to avoid a visit are advised to self-participate in the 2020 Census.  

For more information and free digital items to promote the census and “Drop Everything, Get Counted” Day, please visit www.alabama2020census.com

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