As we continue to work, laying out a brighter future for our loved ones, it is everyone’s responsibility in Oxford-Lafayette County to fill out a Census form. Filling out this form ensures public services, funding for schools, hospitals, fire departments and so many other community resources.
“Responding to the census is not only your civic duty; it also affects the amount of funding our community receives,” stated Jon Maynard, CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Foundation. “It is very easy to fill out the form taking less
than five minutes. Those five minutes could bring millions to our community.”
The Census reports that Mississippi could possibly lose an average $2,780 per year for every child not counted in the 2020 Census. It is very important that Oxford-Lafayette County receive an accurate Census. There is too much at stake not to.
Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices, and stores, and this creates jobs. Developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods.
Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy.
Federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors.
Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools,
hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs.
The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
During this month of May, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up in person with households that haven’t responded to the census. For the first time ever, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online at my2020census.gov, but you can still respond by phone calling 844-330-2020 or mail when your invitation to respond arrives.
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