As the deadline for submission of the 2020 U.S. Census was extended until the end of the month, state Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis encouraged Floridians to participate.
Every year, census data informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction, and education.
“With the deadline for 2020 U.S. Census submissions extended until the end of October, Floridians should take advantage of this time now to ensure you and your family are counted. Participating in the U.S. Census is vital to supporting Florida’s future as the data collected not only serves as the basis for fair political representation, it also plays a major role in determining the amount of funding that state and local communities receive from the federal government for the next decade. Census data is also critical for emergency response efforts as well as it helps emergency managers and first responders better understand disaster resource needs in our state,” Patronis said on Tuesday. c
Patronis, who is based out of Bay County, urged residents of the Panhandle to step up and take part in the census.
“Many Florida Panhandle communities continue to lag in response rate compared to Central and South Florida counties, and it’s vital that we have the entire state participate. I’m urging all Floridians to take just a few minutes and visit my2020Census.gov now to ensure a bright future for Florida,” he added.
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