It's a bus we will all want to get aboard.

On Jan. 28, the U.S. Census Bureau will bring its Census 2010 educational bus to Reid's parking lot.

This will be a time for all Barnwell city and county residents to find out what the census is about and to have any questions answered. The bus will arrive in Barnwell at 4 p.m. and leave at 6 p.m.

The city has erected two support signs for the census at Fuller Park and at the Five Points at S.C. 64, S.C. 3 and U.S. 278.

City Council is urging all Barnwell residents to fill out the questionnaires and return them as soon as possible.

Here are a few reasons why the city is so insistent on full support and participation by city residents on a full census count:

1) Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based partially on census data.

2) Census data is used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments and other community facilities.

3) Census data determines boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Poor participation in a census count could have a impact on the quality of life of Barnwell city residents.

There are several key dates approaching with the 2010 census.

March 2010: Census questionnaires are delivered to households.

April 2010: The "Be Counted" program is implemented.

April 1, 2010: This is National Census Day which is to raise awareness of the census and get participation in it.

From May to July: Census takers will visit households that did not return questionnaires by mail.

Dec. 31, 2010: By law the U.S. Census Bureau delivers population counts to the president.

March 11, 2011: By law, the U.S. Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to the states.

The Census Bureau will have an employee at the city hall during March and April. Residents who have questions or need help with the questionnaire can see the Census representative here.

The city will send out more reminders to residents about the importance of the census.

During the 2000 census South Carolina was 49th of the 50 states in questionnaires returned. Let's do better.