By By Sherry Digmon
Advance Staff Writer
Emilie Mims is on a crusade.
Census 2000 is under way, and the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce's executive director wants to make sure the people in this area know how critical their responses are.
Mims said some Chamber members have already received their Census forms, and she fears some area residents may have already discarded them.
Census numbers affect everyone because they are used to help determine the distribution of more than $100 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.
These are funds for schools, hospitals, housing, roads and bridges, facilities for the elderly and handicapped, daycare facilities, school lunch programs, and many other projects and programs that affect the quality of life in a community.
Not only does an accurate census count ensure that the community is treated fairly in the distribution of federal and state funds, it also gives business and industry a better perspective of our community.
Joyce Bolden with the Atmore Public Library is offering her staff's assistance to anyone who wants help completing their census forms.