WINTON – It’s likely that Hertford County has grown in population over the past 10 years.

If that’s indeed the case, then an accurate count of every person residing within Hertford’s borders is extremely important when it comes to the county gaining additional federal funds.

On Friday, Nov. 6, Akilah Ensley, a Partnership Specialist with the United States Census Bureau, will be in Winton to discuss what Hertford County can do to ensure a proper accounting of its population. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 12 noon in the Hertford County Board of Commissioners room, located in Office Building #1 (across from the courthouse).

Bill Early, Executive Director of the Hertford County Economic Development Commission, said the upcoming 2010 United States Census is an issue critical to the local citizens.

“Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds are awarded based on census data,” Early said. “That’s about $1,000 per person per year.”

In the 2000 Census, North Carolina experienced a 21.4 percent growth rate from 1990. That growth led to the state gaining an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Estimates project that our state will grow by nearly 1.5 million people by the 2010 Census,” Early said. “With that increase, non-response rates will mean we will miss out on the resources we deserve if the 2010 Census is not fully supported. We must do everything possible to see that the 2010 Census is done correctly.”