2020 U.S. Census questionnaire | Wikimedia Commons
2020 U.S. Census questionnaire | Wikimedia Commons
Although the U.S. Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations nationwide until April 15 due to COVID-19, a Waseca committee is prepared to take action.
The committee will eventually collect information from citizens by phone and in person but is currently on pause, according to a press release.
The U.S. Census website announced that census takers will drop off invitations at the front doors of 5 million households. These households can respond online now—even without their invitation—by completing their census form with their address.
“It is extremely important for people to complete the Census survey,” said Gary Sandholm, coordinator of Waseca Economic Development Coordinator, which is spearheading the Census data collection.
For example, businesses use Census-based data for everything from where to open a store to determine if the area workforce has the number of people and skill levels to support a new manufacturing plant while housing developers use the data to determine where to build homes and at what price points.
“Many funding streams start with the Federal government and feed into cities, counties and school districts through many different programs,” Sandholm told the Waseca County News. “It is more than $2,000 per-year-per-person and determines the amount Waseca will receive through these programs for the next 10 years.”
The 2020 Census count was scheduled to end on July 31 but has been extended to August 14, according to a press release, in order to protect the health and safety of Census employees and the American public, implement the guidance from federal, state and local health authorities and ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.
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