The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is calling on all business owners and their employees to “Drop Everything & Get Counted” in the 2020 Census on Wednesday, August 12. This day – designated statewide as the Census Day of Action for Alabama Businesses – is vital to Alabama’s overall participation rate.

While CEOs, business owners, and upper management have most likely completed the Census, data suggests many hourly and field employees have not.

As part of our efforts, we challenge our members to set aside time for employees to participate in the Census during the Aug. 12 workday. The Census consists of 10 questions and takes an average of six minutes to complete, meaning time away from work-specific duties is minimal.  If Alabama’s count falls shy of the 72 percent participation rate recorded in the 2010 Census, the state will lose representation in Congress, millions of dollars in community funding, and reduced economic development opportunities.

Currently, our statewide participation rate is 60 percent. We must boost it, and this Day of Action is intended to help. This event is sponsored by Alabama Counts, the Business Council of Alabama, Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, and the National Federation of Independent Business (Alabama Chapter).

We are sharing materials for companies to use to share the importance of the Census with employees.

These include email templates, videos, even a Zoom background!  We encourage businesses to make plans now and communicate what you’re doing with your employees. Please help them understand how important it is for everyone to be counted.

Please share what you’re doing, too! Post updates on social media using these hashtags: #dropeverythinggetcounted  #AlabamaCensus2020 #dayofaction

Thank you!