CITY OF BUENA VISTA

                      OFFICE OF PLANNING AND ZONING

                                2039 SYCAMORE AVENUE

                           BUENA VISTA, VIRGINIA 24416

                                            540-261-8607

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Why should I care about the Census and how I answer the Census Questions?

The U S Constitution requires a national census once every ten years to count every resident in the United States. In March, each household will receive a questionnaire that includes 10 questions. This information has many important uses.

1) Census data helps to determine the allocation of over 400 billion dollars of federal funding each year for community services such as school lunch programs, job training centers, and the construction of highways and hospitals, just to name a few.

2) It is used to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U S House of Representatives, and it determines boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.

3) Businesses use census data to locate supermarkets, new housing, and other facilities. Census 2010 data will be available on the Central Shenandoah Planning District Regional Data Center as it is released. For more information about the 2010 Census, go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

These are but a few of the items that are affected by your participation in the

Census 2010.

The census is short and to the point with only 10 questions, so time is not a factor. It is one of the shortest questionnaires and takes about 10 minutes to complete. None of the information that is obtained can be shared to anyone and this includes welfare and immigration agencies. Such would create an infraction against Title 13 of the Federal Government and a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a jail term of 5 years. Any questions, contact the Office of Planning and Zoning for further information.

The 10 questions does not require a lot of personnel information and answering these questions and sending them back is critical to the City of Buena Vista for future endeavors such as grants and other monies needed to help the city progress.

If you do not receive a Census 2010 Questionnaire, please contact the Office of Planning and Zoning for information.

                                   BE A PARTICIPANT