Non-sub (mailout changes due to hurricane)

Request for Non-Substantive Change to the

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

2017 Economic Census

OMB Control No. 0607-0937

Due to the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Census Bureau would like to make changes to the 2017 Economic Census of Island Areas mail-out strategy. Based on discussions with Mario Marazi Santiago, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Census Bureau field representatives in Puerto Rico, the lack of electricity would negatively impact the ability of single-establishment companies to report electronically. Prior to Hurricane Maria, the initial mailout the U.S. Census Bureau planned to send to respondents, did not include paper questionnaires and instructed them to report electronically. After meeting with the people/agencies mentioned above, the U.S. Census Bureau would like to send paper questionnaires to all single-establishment companies in the initial mail package, while subsequent follow-ups to non-respondents would be a letter only, directing them to report electronically. There will be no changes for multiple-establishment companies.

Areas highlighted in yellow reflect changes to the mail-out strategy in Supporting Statement A. Attachment D includes draft letters that have been revised to reflect changes to the mail-out strategy.

The contact person for questions relating to this collection is Mr. William Samples, Assistant Division Chief, Economic Census Assistant Survey Director in the Census Bureau’s Economy-Wide Statistics Division.  He can be reached at (301) 763-7175.

Attachments:

1. Supporting Statement A

2. Attachment D