Tom Rowland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Someone you know likely will be reminding you soon how important it is to fill out the 2010 Census form coming to mailboxes in mid-March.

About 30 community volunteers met Tuesday to get organized as a Complete Count Committee. Similar groups are popping up across the region and the nation

As independent groups with guidance from the U.S. Census Bureau, their task is to make sure their neighbors, co-workers, civic clubs and faith groups know about the census form.

Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland told committee members that the more complete the population count, the more money will come back from the federal government to the city and county for local needs.

"That is actually our money coming back to us," Mr. Rowland said.

He told the members they represent different community segments such as business, education and civic or religious organizations.

Karen Stanley, U.S. Census Bureau office manager for the Chattanooga area, said Complete Count committees are effective because they are local people and not "the feds."

"State and local governments use census data to plan new roads, new schools and emergency services. Business uses the data to develop more economic opportunities," she said.

The committee elected Tony Bartolo, media specialist at Cleveland State Community College, their chairman.

Bernard F. Raymond, from the Census Bureau's partnership office, told the group that only 64 percent of Tennesseans participated in the 2000 Census.

Making sure the word gets out boils down to one thing, he said, "marketing, marketing, marketing."

John Hufschmid, Census Bureau partnership assistant, said the information is confidential and census workers are sworn to confidentiality.

The 10 questions do not include personal information or identification such as Social Security numbers.

"Basically the questions come down to. 'How many people live here?'" he said.