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Home My WebLink About09-24-08 Task force works for complete count in 2010 Census ~Y ~' ~' St. Joseph County, IN City of South Bend, IN City of Mishawaka, IN September 24, 2008 10 a.m. Task force works for complete count in 2010 Census Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876- 1564, Chris Dressel, South Bend Community Planner, 235-9660, Larry Magliozzi, Assistant Director, Area Plan Commission, 235-9571, or Andrew West, City ofMishawaka, 258-1668 Elected officials, community representatives and members of the media gathered Wednesday to kick off planning efforts to get full and accurate representation of St. Joseph County's population in the 2010 U. S. Census. Led by South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke, Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea and the St. Joseph County Com- missionerBob Kovach, the Complete Count Committee is working across political boundaries and pub- lic and private sectors, in coordination with the U. S. Census Bureau, to ensure "the best, most accurate possible count through a comprehensive education and awareness program targeting all businesses and residents." Census questionnaires won't go out for another 18 months. But planning for local strategies and publicity already is under way to see that as many households as possible return the completed questionnaire on Census Day, April 1, 2010. Data gathered in the 2010 Census is used by the federal and state government to determine funding levels for a variety of programs. The distribution of an estimated $300 billion annually is impacted by Census results. Business investment decisions often are based on census data, while census data is used in fund- ing applications by local government as well as the private, nonprofit sector. Census figures also impact Congressional representation. "The Census determines how many seats each state will have in the U. S. House of Representatives as well as the boundaries of legislative districts," said Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea. "Census information helps businesses make informed operational and marking decisions. It helps community leaders deter- mine locations for new schools, roads, hospitals, childcare centers and much more." "A growing number of cities nationwide are challenging Census estimates, so that heightens the impor- tance of getting the best, most accurate count possible," said South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke. "We've had 12 consecutive years of adding more than 100 new housing units in the city. We know that Census estimates have historically under-represented South Bend's population, so it's important for all parts of our community to work diligently to ensure that the 2010 count is complete." According to the 2000 Census, local populations are: ~ 265,559 in St. Joseph County ~ 107,759 in South Bend ~ 46,557 in Mishawaka "It's In Our Hands!" ~Unrted9~ St. Joseph County -Area Plan Commission, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 (574) 235-9571 ~~ City of South Bend -Division of Community Development, 224 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 (574) 235-5879 City of Mishawaka -Department of Planning and Community Development , 600 E. Third Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544 (574) 258-1668 The City of South Bend presents a case study for why a complete census count is important. According to Census Bureau estimates, South Bend's population fell from the 1990 Census count of 105,511 to an estimate of 100,163 by July 1998 and 98,941 by July 1999. But the city's actual count in the 2000 Census turned out to be 107,759 - a 2 percent increase, rather than a 6 percent decrease. A similar pattern is repeating in South Bend with recent Census estimates again falling below the 2000 count. Based on existing housing units, new building permits and other local data, in Apri12007 South Bend's population was estimated locally to be 110,130 by Larry Magliozzi of the Area Plan Commission. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey, however, estimated South Bend's population at 104,069 in July 2007. St. Joseph County is taking a similar approach for the 2010 Census by expanding its efforts through the Complete Count Committee to include all jurisdictions in the county. "Several of our small towns are growing due to new subdivisions over the past 10 years, and an accurate count of their population is important," said County Commis- sioner Bob Kovach. "Census data is critical as county leaders determine how to allocate resources. It is important for every County resident to be included so that an accurate representation of all of St. Joseph County is estab- lished." The Complete Count Committee will include four working subcommittees: ~ Media subcommittee -will help public outreach by assisting with the development of a marketing cam- paign including radio and television public-service announcements, interviews about the census and ad- vertising. ~ Business subcommittee -will focus on targeted outreach to the business community and civic organiza- tions. ~ Education subcommittee -will work at targeted outreach to K-12 public and private schools as well as higher education institutions. ~ Community/Faith Organizations subcommittee -will conduct targeted outreach to the faith community, homeless and transitory residents, raciaUethnic minorities, non-English speakers, citizens and undocu- mented residents as well as low-income residents. The U. S. Census finishes its 2010 decennial census on Dec. 31, 2010, when its report is delivered to the next U. S. President. -30-