(L-R) Maj. Gen. James Myles, Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison Mayor Paul Finley show their support and commitment for a complete count of Madison County in the 2010 census.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie and Maj. Gen. James Myles of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command all signed a resolution declaring their support for a complete census count of Madison County. According to the Census Bureau, every person counted in the census amounts to $1,200 in funding.

The 2010 decennial census begins this March with the mailing of the census form, a 10-question survey that takes 10 minutes to complete. The 10-question survey will determine how more than $400 billion is allocated among the states and their communities for community development, housing, education, transportation and social services.

Gillespie says that Madison County’s participation in the census will help demonstrate how the community speaks as one.

“We are one community with one voice and this census will show that,” he said. “Alabama had a 61 percent response rate; Huntsville had an average of 70 percent. We fully expect that we will have a 75 percent response rate. That five percent makes a huge difference of millions of dollars.”

Battle says that the community’s participation in the census will prove why the community has received so many recognitions recently.

“Huntsville has been recognized as one of the best communities in the country. Now is our time to prove it,” he said.

Battle also said that participation is important for future rounds of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

“Our ability to support the current and future growth needs due to BRAC will be affected by our response to the census,” Battle said.

Finley said that Madison’s response rate of 73 percent was among the highest, an accomplishment he wants repeated. “In order to lead the state again, we need everyone’s help and participation.”

Maj. Gen. Myles said that it is part of Redstone Arsenal’s responsibility to be a good neighbor and that participating in the census is a way for everyone to be seen.

“We [Redstone Arsenal] represent 32,000 people whose mission is to support the warfighter and those defending the nation. We also have a responsibility to be a good neighbor. All of us need to give the right information so that our elected officials in D.C. can do what they do best,” Myles said.

- ChamberLink Newsletter, Jan. 22