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Census under-reporting could cost area millions

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By Elaine Morris Roberts, Staff Writer Updated 8:22 PM Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Residents who ignore their 2010 U.S. Census form that will be arriving this week could end up costing Clark County its share of federal funds.

According to information released Wednesday, March 17, by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ohio counties stand to lose millions if populations are undercounted.

“Critical funds that promote economic development, keep our communities safe and help those in need are at stake,” Brown said in a release. “The Census determines ... resources, services and funding we’ll have available to ensure our children grow up with the education and medical care they need. It determines the funding we’ll have to train our workers and ensure our small businesses can grow.”

Based on a 2008 population of 139,859, Clark County could lose an estimated $33.5 million if the census count misses 2 percent of the population.

If 5 percent go uncounted, the county could lose around $83.9 million.

Champaign County, with an estimated 2008 population of 39,650, could lose $9.5 million with a 2 percent undercount.

The financial loss could be $23.7 million if 5 percent of Champaign countians are not included in the census.

Census data collected will directly affect more than $140 billion that Ohio will receive statewide over the next 10 years; a list of every Ohio county and its potential losses can be found at brown.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Census.pdf.

Clark County Commissioner John Detrick said the federal funds obtained from the census counts go to support a wide range of area activity.

“Those funds, which come to us through the state in most cases, go to support our schools, roads and other programs. We have to make sure every Clark countian is counted,” he said.

Federal funds support other area programs including economic development, public safety, job training, food banks and home heating assistance.

The census outcome also determines the number of members Ohio has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ohio could lose up to two Congressional seats, reducing the state’s representation in Washington to 16 districts, Brown said.

The 2010 census form contains 10 questions and is estimated to take about 10 minutes to complete.

Completed census forms should be mailed in the provided postage-paid envelope by National Census Day, which is April 1. Between April and July, census takers call directly on households that did not mail completed forms.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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