WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Census Bureau will send questionnaires to an estimated 42,000 laundry and drycleaning businesses next month, launching its 2007 Economic Census. Businesses receiving forms are required by law to respond by Feb. 12, 2008.
Performed every five years, the census measures industry output in all sectors and geographic areas. The report is a “cornerstone” of U.S. economic statistics and offers source data for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers and other economic indicators.
“The Economic Census is indispensible to understanding America’s economy,” says Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. “It ensures the accuracy of the statistics we rely on for sound economic policy and for successful business planning. Returning your Economic Census form helps us all.”
Most businesses with five or more paid employees and some smaller ones will receive a census form. The forms request basic information such as location, employment, payroll, and sales by type of product or service.
Responses are kept confidential by law under Title 13 of the U.S. Code. “We use your information solely to develop summary statistics,” the Census Bureau says. “Your responses can only be seen by persons sworn to uphold the confidentiality provisions of the law, and are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA].”
Businesses will receive their census packets by mail next month. Operators — particularly those with multiple locations — will appreciate being able to file electronically using a spreadheet software program available from the Census Bureau’s website, www.census.gov/econhelp. The site also offers a “help” function, and a toll-free help line, 800-233-6136, will be available starting Dec. 1.
Drycleaning and laundry services are categorized as Code No. 8123 in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). There are subcategories for coin-op laundries, drycleaners, commercial laundries, linen-supply companies and industrial launderers.
The Economic Census provides data for reports on hundreds of industries by state, county and certain ZIP codes. Businesses, communities and governments use Economic Census data for planning and marketing. Data from the 2007 survey will be collected and processed throughout 2008, with the first results expected in February 2009.Click here to preview a sample form.
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