For Release
Nov. 29, 2017
For More Information Contact:
Howard Fienberg, The Insights Association
WASHINGTON—Major American business groups joined forces on Nov. 28, 2017, in support of funding for the decennial Census, “a key building block for our democracy” that “informs decision-making in both the public and private sectors.”
Twenty-one organizations from across the U.S. business community sent a letter to Congress urging accommodation of “the increased funding request from the Secretary of Commerce for an additional $187 million to support the 2020 Census” in fiscal year 2018.
According to the letter, “With every other survey in the U.S. built on the population totals from the decennial count, the trickle-down impact of an inaccurate 2020 Census would be severe. That includes impact on the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Economic Census, two other Census Bureau programs upon which the U.S. business community more directly depends. The population and demographic data that are obtained from these surveys are vital to businesses across America to promote economic development, identify potential customers and create jobs. The 2020 Census is mandated by the Constitution; the questions in the ACS are required by law; and the data from the Economic Census allows for calculation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) nationally and for individual states. The combined data are an irreplaceable tool for business and industry, allowing us to analyze current and trending demographic and economic shifts, and give us the certainty necessary to plan and execute future investments.”
The signatories in support of Census funding included: American Planning Association; Associated General Contractors of America; Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER); Data & Marketing Association (DMA); DisruptDC; Insights Association; International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC); Internet Association; National Apartment Association (NAA); National Association of Home Builders (NAHB); National Association of Business Economists (NABE); National Association of REALTORS®; National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA); National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR); National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC); National Retail Federation (NRF); Nielsen; Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA); RV Dealers Association; Sonecon, LLC; Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
As their letter concluded, “The original White House request for the Census Bureau was $1.49 billion in FY18; the House-passed CJS appropriations bill had $1.51 billion and the Senate committee version had $1.52 billion. Now, the Administration’s request is for $1.66 billion, and even that may not be enough. The business community is particularly concerned that when it comes time to scramble for the 2020 Census, funding for the ACS and Economic Census may be sacrificed. Any funding diversion from the ACS would reduce the sample size, preventing the survey from delivering accurate data on more than 40 percent of (mostly rural) U.S. counties and small towns, while funding diverted from the Economic Census would hurt our ability to track national and international productivity, trade and employment.”