Local census Complete Count Committee needs volunteers to help ensure most accurate count

The Wilkes County Complete Count Committee still needs volunteers for a public awareness campaign aimed at getting the most complete local census count possible, and the next volunteer meeting is set for Thursday, November 19, at 4 p.m.

"Our main objective now is to tell the public that being counted in the U.S. Census is important to each person living in the county, that it means more dollars and more jobs coming to Wilkes County if every resident is counted," Ashley Barnett, chairman of the Complete Count Committee, said.

Along with new volunteers, the Complete Count committee will meet November 19 at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners' board room at the Wilkes County courthouse. "We are looking for volunteers who can help serve on our local committee," Barnett said. "It is very important that you get involved with the Census. Every person must be counted. Please contact me if you can help with the 2010 Census because it's so vital. Please contact me at tourism@ washingtonwilkes.org or 706-678- 2013."

Local representatives say that the 2000 U.S. Census undercounted Wilkes County's population by several thousand, which has subsequently cost the county millions in state and federal aid because the governments assess a county's need, and award grant and aid money, based on its population as counted by the census.