Census officials seek community outreach group

Talk about it

Officials working on the 2010 U.S. census want Goodhue County's help.

Larry Weiss, a partnership specialist out of the U.S. Department of Commerce's St. Paul office, asked commissioners Tuesday to appoint community leaders to develop and implement an outreach campaign educating residents about next year's census.

Weiss said census officials face an increasing number of difficulties gathering accurate census numbers, including fears that providing information will lead to identity theft.

He said community-led "complete count" groups help make residents comfortable with the process and help them realize how important it is.

"This group is strictly about reaching out to people to let them know it's coming, it's important, it's safe ... and it's easy," Weiss said. "In the end, you know your community better than we do."

The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The census also helps ensure that money for federal programs is allocated fairly.

Weiss said census numbers are also used locally by planning departments and businesses.

"Those are just some of the impacts it can have on your community," he said.

Several counties statewide have already created complete count committees made up of government officials, community members, education officials, media representatives, and other leaders commissioners would deem necessary.

Board members did not say Tuesday whether they would create a committee.

Commissioner Ron Allen said Goodhue County traditionally has a good return rate on census forms.

More than 130 million addresses nationwide will receive census forms in March either by mail or from a census worker. Census workers will follow up with households that do not complete the form.

Weiss said local complete count groups will not be involved with that process, just with creating awareness about the census and motivating residents to participate.

Weiss there is no money to help with any costs incurred by forming the group, though he suspects the financial burden would be limited. He could provide the group with training and advice.

"It's important we utilize local knowledge, expertise and influence," Weiss said.

Nationwide advertising will begin in January. Weiss said the census will be competing with McDonald's for the largest TV campaign.

Tags: local government, goodhue county board, goodhue county mn, 2010 census, news