Brown urges all Ohioans to complete Census forms
The News-Herald – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants people who live in Ohio to fill out their U.S. Census forms and return them as quickly as possible. If people don't, Brown says, the state, county and local governments could lose significant federal funding that is awarded based partially on population figures.
"The Census determines the future of our state," Brown said. "It determines the resources, services and funding we'll have available to ensure our children grow up with the education and medical care they need."
Census counts determine funding for economic development, public safety, education, job training, food banks, home heating assistance and many other critical programs, the senator said.
For every person not counted, the state could lose $12,000 during the next 10-year cycle, according to data provided to Brown by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.
According to the 2000 Census, Lake County had a population of 227,511; Geauga County had 90,895 and Cuyahoga County had 1,393,978 — making it the state's most populous county.
Brown released a county-by-county estimate Wednesday showing how much funding is at stake. If populations in each county were undercounted by just 2 percent, Lake County could lose $54,602,640; Geauga County, $21,814,800; and Cuyahoga County, $334,554,720, Brown said.
