The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is working to modernize the communications infrastructure used by first responders across the nation. With all 50 states and Washington, D.C., joining FirstNet, they are moving forward to deploy a modern, mobile-broadband LTE network for public safety with their private-sector partner, AT&T. In this blog, we explore how FirstNet can benefit one...

This week, President Trump attended the American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., to announce the recommendations of the interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. Secretary Wilbur Ross is a member of the Task Force, which was created by executive order in April 2017 to identify ways to boost economic prosperity and quality of life in rural America...

Guest blog post by Drew Zachary and Mara Abrams, U.S. Census Bureau On November 29th, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Karen Dunn Kelley and Acting Census Bureau Director Ron Jarmin kicked off The Opportunity Project Demo Day, an event that brought together over 200 innovators from the tech industry, government, non-profits and universities to launch 12 new digital tools built with public data...

At the Department of Commerce, we’re committed to partnering with communities who are recovering from the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Since the initiation of disaster response efforts prior to landfall in August and September, the Department has been leveraging the strategic guidance and technical expertise available through our many diverse bureaus to serve the recovery...

As we close out the year 2017, we reflect on some of the most popular stories of this past year. The Department of Commerce continues to work every day to promote job creation and economic growth by ensuring fair and secure trade, providing the data necessary to support commerce, and fostering innovation by setting standards and conducting foundational research and development. The following blogs...

Earlier this week, Congress passed the first overhaul of the U.S. tax system in more than three decades. The historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will cut taxes across the board for working families and businesses both large and small. The Act also will make American more competitive, will bolster continued job creation and will help increase wages for American workers. “President Trump’s tax plan will...

Leveraging open data is a priority for the Trump Administration, as part of its long-term commitment to modernize government and as a key driver of the American economy. Recently, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced newly-released data giving the public new insights regarding the ins and outs of the patent process, while also providing the USPTO with more meaningful metrics so...

Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that 228,000 jobs were added to the American economy in November, and 1.7 million jobs have been added since January of this year. This marks a 17-year low for unemployment at 4.1%. In addition, the unemployment rate in manufacturing dropped to 2.6% – the lowest rate recorded since BLS began measuring it in 2000. Last...