Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves returns home Friday, Sept. 4, to Michigan for the first time since he was confirmed as head of the Census Bureau in July.  Groves will visit the Detroit Regional Census Center to review operational readiness for the 2010 Census and to ensure an accurate count in Michigan.  He will also meet with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

     Prior to his job as Census Bureau Director, Groves was director of the University of Michigan Survey Research Center.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his master’s and doctorate from the University of Michigan.

     With only seven months until Census Day, April 1, 2010, Groves oversees planning for the 2010 Census, which is on track to be the most accurate and technologically advanced in our nation’s history.  The 2010 Census will also be the shortest ever with only 10 questions.  Census data are used to distribute congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide.

     Groves’ visit to the Detroit Regional Census Center is closed to the media, however, he is available upon request for interviews.

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