Did you miss key news from Commerce this week? Each week, we recap the latest U.S. Department of Commerce highlights spanning a wide range of issues promoting job creation and economic growth, programs, and events in one blog post.
Here are the key moments from Commerce: This Week
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
On August 3, Penn Live Patriot-News published an op-ed penned by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Keep Pa. Businesses Safely Open.
On August 4, the U.S. Census Bureau data showed new orders for manufactured goods in June increased $25.5 billion or 6.2 percent to $437.2 billion.
Also, on August 4, President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act, the single largest investment in American national parks and public lands in our history. Each year, millions of Americans visit our national parks, driving local economies, and creating jobs.
On August 5, Secretary Ross co-chaired the second open meeting of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Last week, through the CARES Act, the U.S. Economic Development Administration invested $143.5 million in 106 projects across 26 states to help American communities respond to and recover from COVID-19.
Around the Bureaus
On July 30, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration released the Botnet Road Map Status Update. In the report, the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security documented more than 50 activities led by industry and government that demonstrate progress in the drive to counter botnet threats.
Also on July 30, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the initiation of new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether certain metal lockers and parts thereof (metal lockers) from China are being dumped in the United States and to determine if producers are receiving unfair subsidies.
On August 2, Space X: Crew Dragon returned from the International Space Station. The mission was the first launch of American astronauts in an American rocket from American soil in nearly a decade, continuing to solidify America as a leader in space commerce.
On August 3, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported a $10.1 million investment in West Virginia to support local strategies to spur business and job growth, including those in Opportunity Zones.
“The Trump Administration aims to create American jobs and to ensure U.S. business communities thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These projects will support business growth in West Virginia, diversify the state’s economy, and create new jobs for West Virginia residents. The projects located in or near Opportunity Zones will attract additional private investment to the state.”
On August 4, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Navy signed a new agreement to jointly expand the development and operations of unmanned maritime systems in the nation’s coastal and world’s ocean waters.
On August 5, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the goods and services deficit was $50.7 billion in June, down $4.1 billion from $54.8 billion in May, revised.
On August 6, NOAA released its annual August update to the Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, initially issued in May. For late-breaking updates, follow NOAA's National Hurricane Center at @NHC_Atlantic & your local @NWS office.
2020 Census
The 2020 Census is currently underway! Complete your census by mail, phone or online today. Get started at 2020census.gov.