These next few weeks will see the final push for one of the year’s most important initiatives — the 2020 Census count.

Efforts, both locally and nationally, are being undertaken to ensure that the count — completed every 10 years — is accurate, which is extremely important for communities across the nation because it determines how much federal funding they’ll get.

On a national level, a federal court extended the time for counting by an additional month — through Oct. 31 — which was a wise move considering how the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for Census workers to collect data at a time when going door to door is a faux pas.

On a local level, the city of Butler teamed up this weekend with the U.S. Census Bureau to help residents fill out Census forms at Rotary Park and the Institute Hill playground.

City officials recently obtained four iPads through a grant, and Census officials brought equipment to the parks to help residents fill out the forms.

On the whole, Pennsylvania’s response to the Census has been good — 3% higher than the national average of 62% — while Butler County’s is even better (8% higher than the national average).

However, areas of Butler near the parks have seen lower response to the survey, so it’s a good idea that local and Census officials are choosing that area for this weekend’s event.

As we’ve mentioned before numerous times on this page, it’s important for everyone in the county to fill out their Census forms.

Census data not only determines the number of people who represent the county in Congress, but it also is used to figure out how much federal funding is allocated for everything from health care, school upgrades and nutrition programs for children to the maintenance of public utilities, road repairs, housing assistance and programs that help people find jobs.

Failing to respond to the Census is shortchanging yourself and your community.

We’re in the final lap of the Census count, and urge all county residents who haven’t yet filled out their survey to do so.

It’s great to see the county and Census bureau team up to ensure the most accurate count possible, and hope they continue such efforts right up to the finish line in late October.

— NCD