IN SUPPORT OF THE ECONOMIC CENSUS

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Economic Census which collects reliable business statistics that are essential to understanding the American economy every 5 years-- in years ending in “2” and “7”; and

WHEREAS, only the Economic Census provides information on industry revenues and other measures of American business performance that are consistent, comparable, and comprehensive across industries and geographic areas; and

WHEREAS, businesses in the Nation’s cities will begin receiving the forms in the middle of December 2012 and forms will be due on February 12, 2013; and

WHEREAS, the Economic Census forms will be sent to all but the smallest businesses in nearly every industry in the private, non-farm economy, and every geographic area of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Island Areas and companies will receive forms tailored to their industry and size; and

WHEREAS, the Economic Census forms ask basic operating statistics for each location — employees, payroll, value of goods or services produced in 2012 and businesses can complete the paper forms provided or can report via the Internet, using user names and passwords provided with the forms; and,

WHEREAS, the trade associations and chambers of commerce in American’s cities rely on data from the Census for economic development and business decisions; and

WHEREAS, government agencies, analysts and business organizations nationwide also rely on Economic Census data for planning and key economic reports; and

WHEREAS, local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce in America’s cities can compare the data for the industries in their community to identify opportunities for growth and also compare the data for the industries in their community to neighboring communities, their metro area and state, and to national totals to identify market share and trends; and,

WHEREAS, business owners and managers in America’s cities can analyze the data for their customers at the local level to identify unsaturated or emerging/growing markets for their products and for opportunities for expansion.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the importance of the Economic Census to communities across the Nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on all qualifying businesses to complete the Economic Census when it is received in December 2012 in a timely and accurate manner; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors urges  local economic development organizations and chambers of commerce in America’s cities to encourage every qualifying business owner and manager to complete the Economic Census; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the U.S. Conference of Mayors asks every participating business to comply with the Federal law and complete the Economic Census – whose responses are confidential per Title 13 of the U.S. Code); and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the robust implementation of the Economic Census.