Community Corner

2012 Economic Census

By Nancy-jo Manney, Executive Director, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

By month’s end, 16,000 businesses in Fairfax County will receive 2012 Economic Census forms from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has called this census "indispensable to understanding America's economy." Taken every five years, the Economic Census "assures the accuracy of the statistics we rely on for sound economic policy and for successful business planning," said Bernanke.

Collected for years ending in "2" and "7", Economic Census results serve as the foundation for the gross domestic product and other indicators of economic performance. The statistics are also used by trade associations, economic development agencies and many individual businesses.

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To reduce the burden on the business community, forms are not sent to businesses without paid employees. Forms for each establishment of multi-location companies are sent to company headquarters.

The forms ask for basic information like your location, employment, payroll, and sales by type of product or service. Businesses that receive a form are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code) to respond.

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Businesses, communities, and governments use Economic Census statistics for planning and market development. Information is published for more than a thousand industries as well as for states, counties, cities and metropolitan areas.

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce urges all businesses that receive the 2012 Economic Census to complete and return the forms promptly. You may complete the paper forms provided or report via the Internet using user names and passwords provided with the forms.

Timely and accurate response today means better information tomorrow for our businesses and community.


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