The 2017 Economic Census of Island Areas is currently being conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and won’t be completed until October 2019, according to a Government House release.
The census is described as “the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. territory economy,” and employer businesses are being asked to report their 2017 year-end numbers, as the data provided serves as the foundation for the gross domestic product (G.D.P.). These statistics are also used by trade associations, economic development agencies, governments and individual businesses for business decisions and policymaking, according to the release.
Mailout of the census to businesses began in early May with a due date of June 12, 2018. Response is required by law under Title 13, U.S. Code. Responses are confidential, the release said, adding that the census is required by law to keep information private and secure. Federal law protects all businesses’ responses and ensures the data can only be used for statistical purposes, according to the release.
Employer businesses are asked to complete the economic census online because it’s easy, improves accuracy and reduces cost and processing times, according to the release. For secure online reporting, instructions and a unique company code have been provided to respondents by the Census Bureau via official U.S. mail. Respondents were instructed to set up an online account to complete the survey. Small companies located in U.S. territories have a paper option available, which was included in their initial mailing. If businesses have questions when trying to report to the 2017 Economic Census of Island Areas, there is also a phone number provided.
The Economic Census of Island Areas is asking companies to report information for each location including revenue, employees, payroll, and the value of goods or services produced in 2017, according to the release. Questions are tailored by industry and size, it said.
The data on the territory’s economic census will be available in October 2019 and will include aggregated industry and geographic level data on number of establishments, revenue/sales, payroll, number of employees, goods and services produced, and other industry specific topics.