The Stanislaus County Complete Count Committee hosted the 2020 Census Kick-Off event on Monday, April 1 at the 1010 10th Street Plaza, downtown Modesto. Stanislaus County joined cities and counties across the country to raise public awareness in anticipation of Census Day, April 1, 2020, now just under a year away.

The U.S Constitution mandates that a census of the population be counted once every 10 years for the purposes of reapportioning Congress. Census data is also used to determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed back to states and local communities every year for services and infrastructure, including healthcare, housing and affordable housing, jobs, schools, roads and businesses.

The Central Valley stands to lose up to $2 billion dollars in Federal and State funding if the Census numbers are misrepresented for this region. By working collaboratively across the community, officials hope to shape the future of Stanislaus County cities to ensure an accurate count, accurate political representation and equitable funding.

Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow provided opening remarks and also on hand to offer comments were representatives from education, the community and government leaders.