During the 2000 census, an estimated 64 percent of Enterprise residents participated, but officials are working to up the ante in 2010.
“We are proud of citizens for participating, but we need their help once again, said Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell.
More than $300 billion in federal funding is available annually for municipalities. Distribution of the funding, however, is determined by population information obtained by the census.
“Our census numbers determine how much federal funding we receive,” Boswell said.
The federal funding, if received, can be used towards the town’s roads, bridges, senior citizen centers and schools.
Federal funding can also be channeled through state agencies, explained Boswell.
A majority of state-funded projects are awarded to highly populated areas in an effort to get the most bang for the buck.
“It is vital that people have all the facts so that they understand how important the census is. Our city relies heavily on grant dollars,” Boswell said. “Getting an accurate count plays a large part in acquiring these funds.”
Census numbers do not determine funding alone, however.
“The numbers also determine the number of congressional seats you get,” Boswell said.
The 2010 census has been simplified since the 2000 Census to harbor more participation.
The census consists of 10 questions geared to take only 10 minutes to complete.
Questions seek information including how many individuals live in a home, what type of home it is, a telephone number, age, gender and race, for example.
The participation age for the census has also been lowered for the upcoming census to 15 to include teens who may have part-time jobs and entered the workforce at an early age.
“Oftentimes, people are skeptical about responding to the census and it gets a negative connotation.
The census is more of a dollar stretcher for municipal governments. The access this data allows to grants has been a force multiplier over the past six years. The higher our response, the better our chances for funding,” Boswell said.
Census questionnaires are due April 1, 2010.
The questionnaires will be mailed to each individual home, but additional questionnaires will be made available in the school system.
“Every person must be counted so that our community receives appropriate funds, services and representation,” said Boswell.
During the 2000 census, Enterprise was calculated as having a population just over 21,000 people.
Officials expect the population to have increased by 2010 to between 25,000 and 30,000 residents.
©Southeast Sun 2009
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