Want to secure $20 billion for Arizona? Then be sure you're counted in Census 2020

The numbers are staggering.

Based on population counts from the U.S. Census, the federal government distributes $675 billion annually to local governments around the nation.

If Arizona achieves an accurate population count in the upcoming 2020 Census, it stands to receive roughly $20 billion. That’s nearly $3,000 for every person counted.

An undercount, in contrast, will quickly add up to millions in lost funding and the inability to recover these dollars for another 10 years.

The impact of Census 2020 is far and wide.

Data is used for a lot more than cash

Federal funding distributed based on census data supports education, transportation, health services, emergency services and more.

Businesses and real-estate developers use census data to make decisions about future investments in business relocation and expansion, and where new residential, retail, professional services and health-care facilities should be constructed.

Population numbers dictate representation in Congress. If 2020 projections hold true, Arizona will likely gain a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, increasing our state’s influence over critical federal decisions.

This is why local governments, tribal nations, community-based organizations and business leaders across the state are working in unison to seize this monumental event.

The Maricopa Association of Governments, a regional planning agency representing 27 cities and towns, three Native nations, Maricopa County and portions of Pinal County, is leading an unprecedented public education campaign that aims to attain the most accurate count possible.

Together, we intend to shape the future of the communities we serve.

We'll start early, use tech to get a full count

The overarching message is simple: iCount2020. Its purpose is to educate every person in the region about their individual importance in an accurate census count, and to highlight the 2020 Census as the very first in U.S. history to offer an online census form.

In fact, a robust website, icount2020.info summarizes everything people need to know about the census.

You can read this information on the website in either English or Spanish, and can sign up for email or text to stay informed leading up to Census Day on April 1, 2020. Soon the campaign will be seen online, on billboards, in social media and more. Television and radio ads will round out our education efforts closer to Census Day.

Our efforts will be both agile and precise. MAG is already leveraging digital technology to guide where campaign messages will be seen and to improve historically low participation among undercounted populations.

We will pay special attention to undercounted census tracts, which have already been identified by the U.S. Census Bureau mapping tool.

The Census Bureau also intends to make response rates available in real-time, which will allow us to increase or decrease our message in specific areas depending on participation numbers. Community partners, particularly members of local Complete Count Committees, are also playing an equally important role by connecting with people one-on-one at the grassroots level.

By starting early and using innovative technology, we will generate awareness, provide education on how to complete the census and encourage participation. By Census Day 2020, our objective is for every person in our region to feel compelled to fill out their form. The “i” in iCount is no accident.

We need full participation from everyone. Be a part of iCount2020. Help us shape a future that will make all of us proud. Visit icount2020.info or connect with us using icount2020official on Instagram and Facebook, or @icount2020 on Twitter.

Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, a third-generation Arizonan, is chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments. Reach him at mark_mitchell@tempe.gov; on Twitter, @azmayormitchell.