The US Constitution calls on the federal government to conduct a basic count of all residents living in the country every 10 years. The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation – who we are, where we live, and so much more. The census questionnaire is short and only asks for basic information for all people living in your household.

You can complete the questionnaire online, by mail, or over the phone. It is safe and private. In fact, federal law prohibits anyone at the Census Bureau from sharing personal census information, with violations resulting in stiff penalties and jail time.

Information from the 2020 Census will help to distribute billions of dollars in federal resources. In fact, more than $880 billion in federal funding is allocated annually based on census information. That roughly equates to $1,800 per person each year in our region over a 10 year period. This money helps pay for roads, schools, police, fire, health care, and many more services. An undercount could jeopardize your community’s full share of these resources. It is imperative to get an accurate count so that funding can be allocated appropriately for the population.

Carpenter Marty Transportation, and other businesses, rely on federal funding to agencies like the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH), and other local counties and municipalities in order to design and assist in infrastructure design.

Census counts affect infrastructure in many ways:

• Community development
• Highway planning & construction
• Bridge & roadway repairs
• Safe Routes to School programming
• Sidewalks and trail development
• Public transportation

Learn more at www.2020Census.gov and complete your census questionnaire today!