Like other communities throughout the state and nation, Hays County is in the midst of preparing for the 2020 Census – a Constitutionally-mandated exercise held every decade that has as its goal counting everyone living in the U.S.
The effort is primarily aimed at areas that are traditionally undercounted or hard to count, as are areas of Hays County.
Notably, the Texas Legislature has not funded the effort, making local efforts for a Complete Count even more crucial. Hays County could get some help in making the Census more successful if a grant submission authorized by the Commissioners Court Sept. 24 is approved.
The submission is for a $50,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation, which is funding a Texas Complete Count initiative to the tune of $2 million. The effort is primarily aimed at areas that are traditionally undercounted or hard to count, as are areas of Hays County.
“The county is hoping to secure additional federal dollars that can support services, resources and infrastructure,” County Judge Ruben Becerra wrote in a Sept. 12 letter to the Hogg Foundation. “Hays County is committed to pushing Census efforts and dedicating staff for coordination and collaborative efforts for this project.”
