|
SpatialNews.com Press Release
Business Owners, Self-Employed to Benefit from Upcoming Census Bureau Survey
 Printer Friendly
The U. S. Census Bureau is asking 1 million business owners to set aside
a few minutes to participate in an important survey that is part of the
2002 Economic Census. The information they provide will help shape
federal, state and local governments' business-assistance programs.
Beginning Sept. 2, selected businesses will receive the 2002 Survey of
Business Owners (SBO). Answers to the questions in the survey are, by
federal law, confidential. The survey is taken every five years.
"This survey is part of the 2002 Economic Census, which describes the
economy from the national to the local level," said Louis Kincannon,
Census Bureau director. "It also helps shape the way we, as a country, do
business."
"The information from this survey will highlight the importance of small
businesses to the U.S. economy and, more importantly, show the diversity
of small business owners," said Hector Barreto, administrator of the Small
Business Administration (SBA). "For instance, economists at the Office of
Advocacy will use these data to prepare reports on the traits of small
business owners, including gender, ethnicity and veteran status. Such
research is vital for sound public policy."
In addition to collecting the gender, race and ethnic background of
business owners, the survey features new questions about the age,
education, veteran status and primary business functions of the business
owners. Other new questions ask when the business was started, sources of
equity capital for start-up or acquisition and types of customers and
employees. Also new are questions about home-based businesses,
family-owned businesses and franchises.
The SBA, the Minority Business Development Agency and other agencies
will use the data to allocate resources for their business-promotion
programs. Private firms, economic development organizations and
individuals use the findings to evaluate industries and markets.
Information gathered during the economic census also is used by
researchers and academics.
Business owners have 30 days to complete and return the forms. Starting
Sept. 2, survey respondents may obtain assistance via a toll-free number,
(800) 233-6132, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
They also may access an Internet help page
http://help.econ.census.gov/econhelp/sbo/.
The Census Bureau will combine survey data with data from other economic
census programs and administrative records to produce comprehensive data
on receipts, employment, payroll, kind of business and location by race,
ethnicity and gender of business owners. The first reports from the survey
are scheduled to be released in mid-2005.
|
