Census data is vitally important to the communities and counties of northwest Missouri . From the redistribution of local voting precincts to the number of congressional members Missouri is granted in the House of Representatives,
census data affects all levels of government and all aspects of public life. Each
year, over $200 billion in federal funds are distributed throughout the country based on census data. Many of the grant programs utilized by the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments (RCOG) to aid our communities and counties have eligibility guidelines based on population and household income; an accurate count is absolutely vital in accessing those funding streams for northwest Missouri .
Though it's hard to believe, the initial steps in the 2010 Census are already well underway. The United States Census Bureau has been at work behind the scenes for several months now in preparation to roll out the first phase of the next decennial census. That phase is known as the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA).
LUCA is a program designed by the Census Bureau to allow local governments the opportunity to update the physical addresses where individuals reside within their local jurisdiction. This first step is critical in ensuring an accurate count, for the Census Bureau will utilize the addresses reported in LUCA to verify residences and ultimately send census questionnaires. Note that if your local jurisdiction has changed your addressing method (i.e., changed to 911 addressing) or added addresses since the 2000 Census, the Bureau will not have your correct information. Also note that both cities and counties will be given the opportunity to participate in the LUCA process to ensure all citizens are counted.
There are a number of different participation levels within LUCA, including complete review of all local addresses, electronic submission of existing addresses, challenges of census addresses, map updates, and hardcopy submission of non-city addresses (such as rural routes). The staff of the RCOG has been in contact with the Census Bureau about LUCA, and is ready to help the cities and counties in northwest Missouri report their addresses. Later this month, your jurisdiction will receive an invitation to participate in the LUCA process from the U.S. Census Bureau. To help ensure Northwest Missouri is accurately counted, the RCOG is recommending that all cities and counties in the region participate in the LUCA program.
The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, is hosting a 2010 Census LUCA workshop in late September. Please consider sending at least one representative from your city or county to this workshop to help ensure our region is accurately counted. The enclosed flyer details the workshop's date, time, and location. I have also included a brochure explaining the LUCA process. For more information, visit the 2010 Census Website at http://www.census.gov/2010census/ or the RCOG's website at http://www.nwmorcog.org .
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