This month, businesses will receive the 2007 Economic Census form, underscoring the importance of their participation in American Samoa’s most comprehensive measure of business and industry taken every five years.

     Economic census data provide the hard figures that businesses need when they consider expanding into new geographic areas or markets. Businesses can also look at benchmark values from the economic census to assess where they stand in the marketplace and to research market shares, salaries, product and sales trends, and site locations.

     In the 2007 Economic Census, businesses are asked to report information such as employment, payroll, and the value of goods and services sold. Businesses that receive forms are required by law to respond. Forms must be returned to the U.S. Census Bureau by Feb. 12, 2008. Information about individual firms is kept confidential, and only aggregate industry data are published.

     The Census Bureau has updated the Internet help site <www.census.gov/econhelp>. Business respondents can view frequently asked questions and answers, view sample forms and communicate securely with Census Bureau account managers who are available to help. The site also shows how to use census data and provides links to previous census results.