FROM STAFF REPORTS

More than 400 University of Montevallo students, faculty and staff and members of the Montevallo community gathered at the UM Track and Lacrosse Field on the morning of Sept. 9 to highlight the importance of the 2020 United States census count.

During the event, which was a partnership between UM, Shelby County and the City of Montevallo, volunteers arranged themselves on the field to spell out “2020 Census, Be Counted.” Shelby County officials then recorded the moment with a drone photo.

“The University of Montevallo is a proud partner of Shelby County and was happy to host a photo opportunity in support of promoting the 2020 census,” said UM Director of Partnerships and Outreach Sarah Hendren. “We realize the importance of the upcoming census and how critical it is that every person living in our area be counted. The key is getting the word out early and educating individuals on the process so they can understand the impact that the 2020 census will have on our community and those around us.”

The Census Bureau will mail letters to all Shelby County residents in March 2020 inviting them to respond to the census either online or via a paper questionnaire. Census workers will then make door-to-door visits to any households not responding online or via the paper questionnaire.

Recording an accurate census count is important, because it provides a picture of our nation that helps determine where to build new schools, hospitals and businesses; how federal funding is distributed; and how congressional seats are apportioned. It also helps us see how our communities have changed over time.