Billions of dollars at stake in Census 2020, county prepares to count everyone
Not millions, but billions of dollars in annual government funds are at stake in next year’s census.
Tomas Oliva , El Centro City Council Member, said, “Every person gets resources that are allocated to them for being here.”
The county kicked off its campaign on Thursday to make sure everyone understands the importance of being counted.
” Those numbers, those dollars that come to our region stem from the census. If we get an accurate count, we will have the appropriate dollars that we deserve, ” Oliva said.
Infrastructure works, school programs, hospitals and other public services are funded according to census information.
Jesus Eduardo Escobar, I.C. Supervisor District 1, said, “Population drives federal and state funding.”
He said it also drives political representation.
“Directly tied to federal and state funding, and to our voice in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C.,” Escobar said.
The county is partnering with local organizations, groups and churches trying to reach everyone.
” Be it if you’re a transient. There’s a lot of people that go through this valley, may work in this valley, may not live in this valley, but have a place to stay here in this valley that may not be counted, and it’s important that we count each and every person, ” Escobar said.
They’re partnering with groups, such as the L.G.B.T. Resource Center, in order to reach out to residents concerned about their privacy or of citizenship status.
Rosa Diaz, L.G.B.T. Resource Center Director, said, ” I don’t believe that that is a question that will be asked. I don’t believe that it should be asked. Whether they want to identify or not, that’s not the issue. The issue is to be counted. We will be here to help them with the questionnaire if they need help, ” Diaz said.
The census stars April 1 st of next year.
“If you’re not counted, your piece of the pie is off the table,” Oliva said.
If anybody wants more information, they can contact the county’s C.E. O ‘s office or Esperanza Colio Warren at (442) 265-1007. Warren is the lead person assigned to the Census 2020 project for Imperial County. Her extension is #1011.
