Chamber partners with local schools to host census events

The Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce and all three area school districts will be hosting census support events July 28-30.
The U.S. Census Bureau stresses that approximately $7.5 Billion is distributed throughout Arkansas be the federal government. This money is largely based on census numbers. They state that now, more than ever, these dollars are needed to build and maintain strong communities in Arkansas.
The census is a vital instrument in governmental decision making at all levels, yet it is often ignored by many U.S. residents.
The census affects political representation. Census numbers help determine how many representatives each state elects, as well as the shape of the districts they represent.
On a local level census numbers help determine where new roads, schools and public facilities are built.

Frank Gesualdo collects census data in front of the Mount Ida Civic Center Thursday. The Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce and all three area schools will host census response events next week. Photo by Dewayne Holloway

Census numbers impact decisions regarding local public school funding, healthcare, SNAP and economic development at both the state and federal level.
Currently Montgomery County is in the Bottom 20 counties for census response. In an effort to assist county residents in completing up to date census information, The Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau, Caddo Hills School district, Mount Ida School District and Ouachita River School District to host census support events. The events will begin Monday, July 28, and continue through Wednesday, July 30.
The first census response event will be held Monday, July 28, from 12 – 3 p.m. at Caddo Hills High School. The second will be held at Mount Ida High School Tuesday, July 29, from 12 – 3 p.m. The final event will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 12 – 3 p.m. at Oden High School.
Accurate census numbers are vital to school funding which makes the partnership with local school districts important.
For more information contact the Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce at (870) 867-2723, or by email at director@mtidachamber.com

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