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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 150%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 15, 2019</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sara Humm
<br />Community Relations Specialist
<br />City Manager's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7438
<br />Sara.Humm@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia, Boone County announce partnership for complete count in 2020 Census</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and Boone County Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill announced the Boone County Counts partnership on Friday, Nov. 15, in an effort to achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census.<br /><br />The partnership strives to raise awareness about the 2020 Census and the impacts it has on the county and the state. Boone County Counts is a group effort with the City of Columbia, Boone County and community partners working together to educate the community and ultimately decrease undercounts, reduce real and perceived barriers and increase awareness of the negative consequences of an undercount. <br /><br />"There is a lot at stake when our population is only counted every 10 years and it’s imperative that our count is as complete and accurate as possible," Treece said. "Not only is responding to the census our civic duty, but the financial health of our sc
hools, hospitals, roads, bridges and so much more also depend on making sure everyone is counted accurately." <br /><br />Federal agencies use census results to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds each year. In fiscal year 2016, Missouri received more than $16 billion through federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census. Low participation in the 2020 Census could have substantial negative consequences for the state and county. For every adult and child that is not counted, Missouri loses an estimated $1,300 in federal funding per person, per year.<br /><br />"A complete and accurate census count can help our county’s ability to grow and thrive," Atwill said. "When we all respond, we create future opportunities for ourselves, our neighbors and our local businesses. Some communities across the country are even using this as an opportunity to attract businesses that use population as a measure to de
cide where they will build new stores and restaurants."<br /><br />Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census to count every resident in the United States. For the first time, there will be an option to respond online, in addition to the options of responding by phone or returning a paper questionnaire in the mail. The census will be available in 13 languages and everyone living in the United States is encouraged to participate. <br /><br />"Completing the 2020 Census will only take a few minutes, will help the community in which you live and will be a safe process," U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Coordinator Emmett Morris said. "By law, your census responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way. The law requires the Census Bureau to keep your information confidential and use your responses only to produce statistics."<br /><br />The Boone County Counts partnership is co-chaired by Tracy Greever-R
ice representing the City of Columbia and Brianna Lennon representing Boone County and all towns in Boone County. Follow the efforts of the Boone County Counts partnership on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BooneCountyCounts/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/boonecountycounts/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> at @BooneCountyCounts. The video of the announcement can be found here: <a href="http://bit.ly/353rhYi" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/353rhYi</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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