by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Census Bureau Office officially opened its doors to the public with a soft opening being held this evening. The Office has been busy in the last few weeks as enumerators are being hired and training is being conducted.

Guam Census Advisor Justin McLaughlin says residents can expect to get a few things in the mail over the next few weeks. "They'll receive an advance letter sort of notifying them that the census is coming relatively shortly then they'll receive a copy of what's called the Advanced Census Report, which is the form we use and they should take some time and fill out that form and shortly thereafter beginning on April 1 they'll be visited by an enumerator to pick up the form," he said.

Census Bureau Administrator Cecile Bamba Sudo encourages island residents to take the time to fill out the confidential census form that contains 75 questions, telling KUAM News, "It also helps for our people of Guam so that we actually get a good part of federal funding for our community for many different things, infrastructure, schools our hospital and public housing, as well."