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Data collection for economic census now underway

U.S. Census Bureau logo
This year respondents are encouraged to report electronically
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S. Census Bureau has launched data collection for the 2022 Economic Census for businesses across the U.S and the Insular Areas — including American Samoa.

The Census Bureau announced Tuesday in a national statement that it has begun data collection for the economic census, which is the U.S. government's official 5-year measurement of American businesses and the economy — covering years ending in "2" and “7”.

For the 2022 Economic Census of Island Areas — the five U.S. territories — the Census Bureau in a separate notification on Tuesday explained that “respondents are encouraged to report electronically but small companies located in the Island Areas will have a paper option available.”

The ASG Commerce Department issued a brief statement late Tuesday afternoon confirming the 2020 Economic Census is being carried out.

Businesses across American Samoa will begin receiving invitations to respond online to a survey tailored to their primary business activity and will have until March 15 to submit their responses.

The economic census is sent to all American Samoa businesses with paid employees to collect a range of operational and performance data.

These businesses cover most industries and geographies in American Samoa, according to ASDOC, which is partnering with the Census Bureau to conduct the economic census and assist respondents.

In a video message posted on the Census Bureau website, U.S. Census Bureau director, Robert Santos, called on businesses that receive the economic census to respond. “Your response makes a difference,” he said. “Data from the Economic Census serve as the foundation for our nation’s gross domestic product, or G-D-P, and other economic indicators.”

The Census Bureau emphasized that responses to the census are “confidential” in accordance with federal law.

ASDOC also confirmed that officials from the Census Bureau will be on island this month to conduct outreach and promotion programs.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the Census Bureau plans the first release of 2022 data covering American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is scheduled to occur in June and July of 2024.  There are some changes for the Insular Area form. (See Samoa News online Jan. 31 for details.)

Call the ASDOC-Statistics Division at (684) 633-0120 if more information is needed.

Census Bureau shared the following online links:

•           Responder page (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/inform...)

•           About the Economic Census page (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/about....)