Have you taken another look at your New Year's resolutions for 2010? Is completing and sending in your census form on your list? If not, make it your number one goal. Here's what's at stake for Nevada - funding and Congressional representation.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, census information collected helps determine how more than $400 billion of federal funding is spent each year across the country on infrastructure and services such as hospitals, schools and transportation projects. Where the funding is allocated depends on individual states' 2010 census response rates.
Analysis conducted by several state offices indicates that Nevada will recive $917 in federal funding each year for the next 10 years for each man, woman and child that is counted in the 2010 census. In other words, Nevada has an opportunity of securing almost $10,000 over 10 years for each Nevadan counted.
That's a lot of money. And in this economy, filling out the census is an opportunity we cannot ignore.
Nevada's response rate in the 2010 census will also have a bearing on redistricting and our Congressional representation - we could be eligible for an additional member in the House of Representatives based on final count numbers.
What does this mean for us in real life? Three of the top sectors that recieve federal funding based on the census data are helath and human services, education and transportation - all areas critical for a high quailty of life. Additionally, when properly funded, these sectors help attract outside businesses to Nevada.
The good news is that the 2010 census form should take you about 10 minutes to complete, it's confidential and it's easy.
So when you receive your census form in March, keep in mind that your participation is critical. Because in Nevada, we all count.
