Two forums will be held in eastern Connecticut this coming week on the 2020 census, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz announced Friday.

The first forum will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Mohegan Sun Community and Government Center, 13 Crow Hill Road, Uncasville. The second will take place Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. at Eastern Connecticut State University's Student Center Theatre, 83 Windham St., Willimantic.

Discussion will focus on the challenges that communities face in achieving a complete count for the census. Government leaders, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith groups and the public are invited to attend.

"The 2020 Census is fast approaching and we must do everything we can to ensure that Connecticut is the best counted state in the nation," Bysiewicz said in the announcement. "Census data is used to determine nearly $11 billion federal funding to our state each year for programs and projects that our residents depend on. That's why we must continue to educate and inform everyone in Connecticut that their participation in the Census is critical to the bottom line for every community."

"These regional meetings will give participants an opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and address the challenges they face, so everyone can begin to move forward with a plan that works for their individual communities," she said.

Nearly 20 percent of the state's communities are considered "hard to count," according to Bysiewicz's announcement. In February, she established the Connecticut Complete Count Committee, an advisory panel of diverse community leaders from across the state, to inform and help direct the state's census efforts. In addition, nearly 60 Local Complete Count Committees have been formed in municipalities.

The 2020 census will be the first that residents can fill out online, the announcement said. The form also can be completed by mail or over the phone. Libraries will be offering resources for respondents.