April 1 is the official starting date of Census 2020, less than two months away.  To educate and better prepare the residents and leaders in Hamilton County and the local cities, the City of East Ridge along with co-hosts Chattanooga City’s Mayor Berke’s office and Hamilton County’s Mayor Coppinger’s office, are hosting a special Census 2020 kickoff meeting. 

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 21, at the East Ridge Community Center. Citizens are invited to come learn more about the Census and its significance to the communities where they live.

Tennessee’s Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, will be the guest speaker at the kickoff.  He will discuss the importance of the Census and its effects on our cities and towns.  Secretary Hargett was elected by the Tennessee General Assembly to serve as Tennessee’s 37th secretary of state in 2009 and re-elected in 2013 and 2017.

“On behalf of the City of East Ridge, we are very excited and want to thank Secretary Hargett for taking time out of his busy schedule to participate in the East Ridge Census 2020 kickoff meeting,” said East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams.  “This will be a very informative meeting for the public to learn and ask questions concerning the Census. 

“Why does it matter?  We conduct the Census count to provide critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.  YOU COUNT.. GET COUNTED..”

For more information, contact East Ridge City Mayor Brian Williams bwilliams@eastridgetn.gov or East Ridge City Council Member Andrea “Aundie” Witt awitt@eastridgetn.govor call 423-867-7711.