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 June 12, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross visited BRIDG a Microelectronics Fabrication Facility and the Orlando Economic Partnership in Orlando, Florida to discuss the safe reopening of Orlando’s economy.
Secretary Ross toured Boeing facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and met with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce on June 12 to discuss foreign investment, reshoring, and the renewal of the American economy.
⇒ U.S. Secretary of Commerce: ‘Indicators of a continued rebound’
On June 15, Secretary Ross announced a new rule ensuring the U.S. industry’s ability to more fully contribute to standards-development activities in the telecommunications sector. International standards serve as the critical building blocks for technological development by enabling functionality, interoperability, and safety. U.S. participation and leadership in standard-setting influences the future of 5G, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies.
On June 17, Secretary Ross joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business to discuss the risks associated with 5G and Huawei and funding for infrastructure.
Wilbur Ross: Under Donald Trump’s Leadership, the U.S. Economy Will Come Back Strong
“As the economy gets back to where it was, with record low unemployment for African Americans, Hispanics, women and the disabled, and with more rapid increases in non-supervisory pay, Americans deserve to be hopeful and eager to get back to their pre-pandemic routines,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross writes in The Kansas City Star on June 18.
“While we focus on improving the economic growth of our nation, all Americans from coast to coast will be able to enjoy the economic benefits of which the United States of America is capable.”
On June 18, Secretary Ross traveled to greater Philadelphia and participated in a tour and discussion at Analytical Graphics Inc. Secretary Ross addressed the importance of the U.S. commercial space industry.
Secretary Ross also participated in a roundtable discussion with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber where he addressed the President Donald J. Trump Administration’s economic recovery efforts. ⇒ Read remarks by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Roundtable
⇒ U.S. Commerce Secretary visits Wilkes-Barre, meets with chamber, business leaders
⇒ Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross talks the economy with 69 News
Around the Bureaus
Cover smart. Do your part. Slow the spread. On June 11, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released a video showing how face coverings can slow the spread of diseases like COVID-19.
On June 11, Laura Peter, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office was named one of the most influential women in IP by World IP Review. Deputy Director Peter is acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in IP, who are all playing a significant role in championing diversity and changing the IP system.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards. The MED Awards are the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority-owned firm can receive by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
On June 16, the U.S. Census Bureau reported U.S. retail and food services sales for May 2020 were $485.5 billion, an increase of 17.7 percent (+/-0.5%) from the previous month.
⇒ U.S. May retail sales surge 17.7% in the biggest monthly jump ever
On June 16, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration awarded a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Pontotoc, Mississippi, to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Make your voice heard!
The National Weather Service is seeking your input on changes to the Watch, Warning, and Advisory system. The NWS is striving to support a “Weather-Ready Nation” by ensuring you are aware of and prepared for the variety of weather- and water-based hazards we experience across the country every day.
2020 Census
As of June 18, 61.5% of households have responded to the census. The U.S. Census Bureau urges households to respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire, responding online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020 using the provided Census ID.