www.MontanasTrailhead.com

Logo for the 2010 United States Census. It's in our hands, is the motto this year.

Now if you haven’t had any visitors to your residence in awhile, it’s not common practice to then expect some.  Especially if they’re from the government.  I’m not referring to the IRS.  It’s that time when each individual is counted in the mighty land of the United States of America.  Do you really think the census can count every person in the US?  What about the ranchers or cattle in Montana or all the imports from California or even the tourist who come and stay?  Let’s give the Census the best chance because its money in our pocket or so the story goes.  Allow me to explain. 

Did you know the 2010 Census form for this year is only a whopping 10 questions?  Its one of the shortest forms in history or at least it claims to be.  It’s suppose to take 10 minutes as well. Now that sounds too good to be true especially with this current administration.  (remember, we voted for our administration.)  Anyhow,  each question helps to determine how more than $400 billion will be allocated to communities across the country.

Now the form cannot be filled out online (like everything else these days) but you can expect to receive it in your mailbox by the United States Postal Service.  Now if your mailbox is snow drifted in like mine is; chances are you might petition your local post office to hold it for pickup. 

I’m sure everyone can’t wait to get thier 2010 Census form in the mail so I provided a link to wet your appetite and preview the questions here. 

In all seriousness, this is important to the local communities as this could financially affect your local area.  In Wyoming and according to the Billings Gazette article here, officials say rural areas lose close to $800 annually for every person who isn’t counted. For rural areas, that figure could be as much as almost $900. 

Imagine the money a community potentially loses by not being counted.  This is money that could be generated for a local community program or even donated to local organizations like this one. In fact, regardless of the Census, this non profit organization is also looking for donations to help improve their beautiful location.

If you would still like the Census to visit you, I’m sure you could be contacted in person or by phone.  Especially, if you “accidentally” forget to fill out one of the 10 simple questions.  I don’t recommend planting this bug in your ear as we are flipping the bill for the Census.  So let’s give the Census a hand by just dropping the simple questionnaire back into the mail and try to help bring a little more money in our local communities……..or so we’re told.