Spring often brings turning points

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for the Times-Journal - April 2, 2010 edition

A chain of events in Rainsville centered around the census of 1960 serves as a great argument for census participation today.

In the mild spring of 1961, when the Census Bureau published their official 1960 count, Rainsville's population was reported at a little over 300 people. Community leaders suspected the count was dramatically low, and subsequently, they filed a challenge.

At the time, a new federal housing project for Rainsville was in the planning stage. Population and demographics were, of course, key elements in the planning. Under the supervision of the Federal Housing Authority, four members of the Rainsville Home Demonstration Club conducted a population recount. In the mild spring of 1963, the four ladies-Mrs. Marvin Barron, Mrs. Harvey Clifton, Mrs. Elmer Bailey and Mrs. Milton Turner-counted 1,020 people.

Consequently, the Census Bureau raised the official 1960 population of Rainsville to 568. Proof of a rapidly growing populace helped convince the Federal Housing Authority to increase the number of housing units from 10 to 18, and helped affirm the need for a new Post Office building that was completed in 1964.

The recount turned out to be a significant turning point for this city which went on to be the fastest growing city in Alabama between the 1960 and 1970 censuses with a growth rate of 269 percent.

As of Tuesday, close to half of American households had not yet mailed their 2010 Census questionnaires. If you have not already done so, I urge you to mail yours today.

In other turning point-related news, it is amazing to see, after many years of planning, how rapidly the new Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center is going up. If you have not driven by the site lately, it is quite a sight to see.

I hope some mild spring weather will once again serve as a turning point for the local economy. Many local jobs remain very vulnerable right now.

When we choose to purchase goods or services in other counties or states, or online, we are choosing to help fund somebody else's job market, somebody else's street maintenance, and somebody else's youth sports programs.

“Thank you” in advance for shopping and dining locally more often this spring.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800