Census events set at Old Station Brewing Co., Crawford Distillery

Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and Bear Paw Development Corp. have partnered to hold two events next week to get people counted in the 2020 Census.

“This is our last chance to assure that every resident of Havre and northern Montana is properly counted for the 2020 Census, which determines our representation in Congress and is used to distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds nationwide every year,” Havre Chamber Executive Director Julea Robbins said in a press release. “If Havre is undercounted by just 100 people, it is estimated that we will be losing out on $2 million for our community for important priorities like infrastructure, education and health care.”

An accurate count in this year’s Census also could give Montana back a second seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a seat it lost after the 1990 Census.

The “Count Me In” events also offer people filling out the census a free non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink and a chance to win $100.

Two $100 Chamber gift certificates will be awarded in random drawings to participants each night, along with other prizes, and a free beverage will be offered to each participant.

Tuesday’s event is set at Old Station Brewing Co. at 140 First St. from 4 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday will be held at Crawford Distillery at 336 Second St., also from 4 to 8 p.m.

The release said a Montana Partnership Specialist with the Census Bureau will be available at each Count Me In event to help people complete the Census.

The release said that people who want to complete the Census at home can still do so by going to http://my2020census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020 .

For more information, people can contact the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce at 265-4383 or Bear Paw Development at 265-9226.

“We really want to encourage anyone who has yet to fill out their Census form to join us at these events to do so,” Paul Tuss, executive director of Bear Paw Development, said. “We only have one chance every ten years to be counted, and time is running short.

“The official counting for the 2020 Census will end on Sept. 30th, so we simply want Havre and the entire Hi-Line to have a good, accurate count,” Tuss added. “This Census will impact our region for the next decade, so please join us in downtown Havre for these fun events. It only takes 10 minutes and you’ll get a great made-in-Montana beverage as a reward for stepping up and being counted.”