HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA (BNO NEWS) – Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell on Wednesday said that it’s essential that every state resident answer the 2010 U.S. Census.

To ensure the most accurate count result possible, Governor Rendell established a statewide advisory panel that will work with local “complete count committees” in communities across Pennsylvania. The Governor enlisted the help of Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris and actress Ana Ortiz of television’s “Ugly Betty” to co-chair the panel.

The panel will supplement the work done by more than 20 state agencies and commissions during the past few months determining how Pennsylvania can aid the U.S. Census Bureau’s efforts.

“Each year, more than $400 billion in federal funds are allocated based in all or in part on the results of the Census,” Governor Rendell said. “That’s more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period for critical things like schools, senior centers, job training centers, bridges, highways, public transit, and local emergency response services and training - a larger amount than many people realize.”

The Governor said Pennsylvania cannot afford for any resident to skip participating in the Census, which involves answering only 10 questions and takes just 10 minutes to complete.

Additionally, the Governor said the state and the Census Bureau want to assure residents that the process is safe and that the information collected is confidential.

“Filling out the form will not increase your chances of getting called for jury duty, it will not mean that immigration agents will show up at your door, and no one will come looking for you for unpaid parking tickets,” the Governor said. “In fact, the Census asks for less personal information than does a typical credit card application.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, participating via mail is the most cost-effective way to administer the national count. For every one percent increase in the response rate via mail, the bureau saves between $80 million and $90 million by avoiding the need to send census workers to obtain information in person.

The Census Bureau will start mailing out forms in mid-March, so residents should expect to receive one in just a few weeks.

April 1 is “National Census Day” and the advisory panel will focus their efforts on getting residents to mail back their completed Census forms on that day.