The application period for the Alabama Counts 2020 Census Grant Program is now open and will conclude at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.

Nearly 200 community leaders attended a pair of workshops on Wednesday in Montgomery to introduce the Alabama Counts 2020 Census Grant Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs hosted the workshops to help leaders learn how to apply for grants to support collaborative efforts that will increase participation in the 2020 Census. The program is designed to support local and regional activities that seek to reach hard-to-count groups and areas. The activities should complement the state’s Alabama Counts activities and Action Plan.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, Deputy Director Anita Archie and Communications and External Affairs Unit Chief Mike Presley gave details, timeline and procedures for communities and organizations to apply for funds for the $1-million grant program.

Funding for the grant program was allocated to ADECA in the 2020 Education Trust Fund. The one-time grant funding will be awarded by Dec. 31 in preparation for the census count in spring 2020.

Complete information about the grant program is available at www.census.alabama.gov/grants.