Have you filled out your federal Census form? It’s important

When COVID-19 slammed Ellsworth County and other regions of Kansas earlier this year, state and federal officials worked overtime to mitigate the economic damage to businesses and other entities.

One program funneled more than $1.2 million into Ellsworth County for municipalities, schools, businesses and public health.

Marquette also received grant money that went to local businesses.

The amounts, said Stacie Schmidt, executive director of Ellsworth County Economic Development, were based on information collected as part of the 2010 Census.

So here we are — a decade later and it’s time for local and state residents to stand up and once again be counted.

There’s a way to go before the Sept. 30 deadline.

The current response rate for Kansas is 68.5 percent. That compares to a final response rate of 70 percent for the state in 2010.

Here are a few “Quick Facts About the U.S. Census” from the Kansas Counts website.

Population numbers derived from the decennial census are used to distribute over $6 billion in federal funds to Kansas every year.

Every uncounted person costs the state of Kansas approximately $2,082 in federal funding.

Census data is used to determine federal, state and local voting districts.

Or put another way — the number of U.S. House seats are determined by the most recent Census.

Government, businesses and other stakeholders use census data for infrastructure and transportation planning; emergency preparedness, disaster relief, education funding, health tracking and disease control, and a multitude of other things.

Businesses and government agencies consider population trends when choosing places to locate, which in turn boosts economic growth.

As the census is only a once-every-10-years process, it is crucial to get the count right. If Kansas is under counted the state will be shortchanged for a decade.

Residents who haven’t returned their Census forms should go to my2020census. gov or call (844) 330-2020 for assistance.