The U.S. Census Bureau is cutting its schedule for data collection for the 2020 census a month short as legislation that would have extended the national head count’s deadlines stalls in the U.S. Senate.

It is imparative that local citizens fill out their census forms. Currently only 41.7% of Allen, 34.5% of Atwood and 29% of Calvin residents have filled out their quesionaire. Federal tax money in forms of grants for town and schools rely on a accurant count.

The Census Bureau said late Monday that the doorknocking and ability for households to respond online, by phone or by mail to the questionnaire will stop at the end of September so the bureau can meet an end-of-theyear deadline to turn in numbers used for redrawing congressional districts and allocating federal funds.

Facing delays caused by the pandemic, the Census Bureau had earlier this year pushed back wrapping up field operations for the once-a-decade head count from the end of July to the end of October.

If you have not filled out your census visit www. 2020census.gov. You towns and schools are counting on you.