Mayor Seeks Participation in Census
March 31, 2010
Greenwood, SC - "Stand up and be counted, for what you are about to receive."
In my high school days, growing up in Greenwood, these words would often blare from my room as I listened to the sounds of AC/DC, my favorite band at the time.
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Recently, those words have been echoing through my mind as I try to rally residents of Greenwood to complete their census forms. The census is an annual counting of Americans that occurs every 10 years. Unfortunately, South Carolina has had one of the lowest rates of participation in the census in 1990 and 2000. We, as South Carolinians, pay for our lack of participation in the form of low federal aid. It also has a result of reducing our representation in Washington in the House of Representatives.
For the City of Greenwood, we suffer not only reduced federal aid but also reduced state aid. The value of each person completing the census form is $1,250 per person, per year in federal funds to our city. Additionally, it is another $30 per person, per year in state funds. The failure of one person not completing his or her census form will result in a loss of $12,800 to the City until our next census in 2020.
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Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams
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Further, I am frequently asked, when will Greenwood have an Olive Garden, TJ Max, Whole Foods, or some other new retail establishment. The corporations use the census data to determine where they will locate their store. By completing your census forms, you have the opportunity for us to land that new retail establishment.
The census is an independent organization which does not share any information with other branches of the federal or state government. The information you provide the census is completely confidential. It cannot be used against you in any legal matters including child support, immigration, or tax evasion. The census also counts all residents whether they are here legally or not.
This is an opportunity we have only once a decade for you to help show others that our town is still growing and thriving. The population in the City of Greenwood has remained at 22,000 since 1980. In 1980, Greenwood had 21,613 people. By 2000 we had 22,410. I believe the actual population is much greater.
It is my challenge to you to please be part of our solution and complete your census forms. It took me less than 10 minutes to complete my census form. I hope you take time to fill out your form and return it promptly. I hope you will help me make 2010 the year in which we became a City of 25,000. Our current participation rate is 29 percent for 2010. We must do better. In these economic times we need every bit of federal funding we can get.
It is my hope that each of you will complete your census forms. With your help, the City of Greenwood will grow and prosper in the years to come.
Greenwood 2010 Census Service Centers
Did you not receive your 2010 Census Form? Get one from one of these locations:
| Lander University |
320 Stanley Avenue |
| GLEAMNS |
237 N. Hospital Street |
| Gwd Housing Authority |
315 Foundry Road |
| Greenwood City Hall |
520 Monument Street |
| Greenwood Library |
106 North Main |
| United Center |
929 Phoenix Street |
| Grier Community Center |
647 Grier Street |
| Little River Center |
415 Riley Road, Hodges |
| Ninety Six Library |
100 S. Cambridge Street, Ninety Six |
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