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Commerce at a glance [ [link removed] ]


*August 15, 2020*




Coronavirus Disease

COVID-19

Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know [ [link removed] ]



Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [ [link removed] ]



Guidelines for Opening Up America Again [ [link removed] ]







Latest News

Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross: The Census Bureau is Not Shortchanging the Count [ [link removed] ]

The U.S. Census Bureau is well on its way to delivering a complete and accurate 2020 Census. I am proud to oversee this essential activity which is clearly outlined in the United States Constitution. Critics claim incorrectly that the Census Bureau is shortchanging the count. This is not an accurate depiction of the current state of the 2020 Census, which is on its way to delivering a successful count in every community across the nation.



Joint Press Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders [ [link removed] ]

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the European Commission have initiated discussions to evaluate the potential for an enhanced EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework to comply with the July 16 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Schrems II case. This judgment declared that this framework is no longer a valid mechanism to transfer personal data from the European Union to the United States.



Op-Ed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross: Three Tennessee Communities will Receive Opportunity Zone Grants [ [link removed] ]

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award three grants totaling $5.1 million to fund construction of infrastructure to support new facilities and hundreds of jobs located in Opportunity Zones in the state of Tennessee. These grants mark an important milestone, as *EDA has now surpassed $500 million in investments into Opportunity Zones* across the country since 2018.



Watch: Video Highlights from Department trip to Ketchikan, Alaska [ [link removed] ]

Recently, Michael Walsh, Commerce Department Chief of Staff, traveled to Ketchikan, #Alaska, to announce $1.65 million in CARES Act funding boosting economic development programs critical to helping Alaska respond to COVID-19. While there he met with the Alaska Troll Fishing Industry, local leadership, and toured the Hump Island Oyster Company.



Census Bureau Adapts Operations to Ensure Everyone Is Counted [ [link removed] ]

As the U.S.Census Bureaucontinues tomonitor the impacts COVID-19 has on 2020 Census operations, changes to operations are being deployed to ensure the safety of staff and the public while maximizing the number of households that respond on their own to the 2020 Census. As oftoday, over 63.5% of households have responded to the 2020 Census. People can still respondonline, over the phone or by mail [ [link removed] ] all without having to meet a census taker.



'Extremely Active' Hurricane Season Possible for Atlantic Basin [ [link removed] ]

This is one of the most active seasonal forecasts that NOAA has produced in its 22-year history of hurricane outlooks. NOAA will continue to provide the best possible science and service to communities across the Nation for the remainder of hurricane season to ensure public readiness and safety, *said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross*. We encourage all Americans to do their part by getting prepared, remaining vigilant, and being ready to take action when necessary.



The International Trade Administration Granting Relief to U.S. Companies During COVID-19 Response [ [link removed] ]

The International Trade Administrations U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service is temporarily reducing or eliminating the costs of several of their exportand investmentservices, providing relief to U.S. businesses and economic development organizations affected by COVID-19. These efforts are intended to encourage the promotion of foreign direct investment and the export of non-COVID-19-treatment-related Made in the USA products around the world in this moment of economic transition and recovery.



NISTs SAMURAI Measures 5G Communications Channels Precisely [ [link removed] ]

Engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a flexible, portable measurement system to support design and repeatable laboratory testing of fifth-generation (5G) wireless communications devices with unprecedented accuracy across a wide range of signal frequencies and scenarios.The system is called SAMURAI, short for Synthetic Aperture Measurements of Uncertainty in Angle of Incidence.



Journeys of Innovation: Establishing the New Fit [ [link removed] ]

Hinda Miller, Polly Smith, and Lisa Lindahl designed the sports bra to decrease discomfort for female runners. Since then, their invention has become a necessity for female athletes and a modern fashion staple. The empowering story of these three women offers a compelling example of determination, ingenuity, and creativity.



Success Story: Krampade Sports Drink Leverages Revolving Loan Fund to Secure Public/Private Investment for Business Growth [ [link removed] ]

EDA makes Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) grant awards to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that make loans to businesses that cannot otherwise obtain traditional bank financing. These loans provide access to capital as gap financing that enables small businesses to grow and lead to new employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits.



Resilient Cedar Rapids: Rebuilding Better Pays Off [ [link removed] ]

Many cities in the United States have experienced or will experience devastating losses caused by a natural disaster. In the aftermath of a disaster, the question communities grapple with is how to invest in recovery. Understandably, the focus tends to be on building back as quickly as possible. But it may actually make more economic sense to rebuild better than before.



Alachua County Fire and Rescue Uses FirstNet in Everyday Operations [ [link removed] ]

Alachua County Fire and Rescue is an all hazards agency in Gainesville, Florida. They benefit from FirstNet capabilities in their everyday EMS operations. FirstNet connects their mobile data computers to gather information while in route to calls. They use FirstNet-enabled smartphones to get priority service in an emergency. The EMS team also uses FirstNet to send health data directly from the ambulance to the hospital.



Federal Task Force Proposals Set Stage for New Seafood Trade Strategy [ [link removed] ]

A new federal task force has submitted recommendations that will be the basis for a strategy to help level the playing field for the U.S. seafood exporters and importers when doing business with other countries.



June 2020 Trade Gap is $50.7 Billion [ [link removed] ]

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit decreased in June 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau. The deficit decreased from $54.8 billion in May (revised) to $50.7 billion in June, as exports increased more than imports. The previously published May deficit was $54.6 billion. The goods deficit decreased $4.0 billion in June to $72.2 billion. The services surplus increased $0.1 billion in June to $21.5 billion.






In Case You Missed It

*Wilbur Ross: U.S. Department of Commerce invests to keep Pa. businesses safely open [ [link removed] ]*

Under President Donald J. Trumps leadership, the U.S. Department of Commerce is working around the clock to grow our economy and support local efforts to keep businesses open and workers and customers safe during these challenging times. Today, as part of these efforts, the departments Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $35.5 million in Recovery Assistance grants that will provide critical gap financing to small Pennsylvania companies adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.



*DHS, Commerce Team to Tackle Botnets [ [link removed] ]*

The Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce released an update to their ongoing work to address botnets, automated and distributed attacks on the internet, which threaten the nations internet infrastructure. The president issued Executive Order (EO) 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure, in May of 2017. The EO called for resilience against botnets and other automated, distributed threats and directed the Secretaries of Commerce and Homeland Security to lead a process in line with this effort.



*White House announces spectrum auction to fuel 5G growth [ [link removed] ]*

The Trump administration on Monday unveiled plans to auction off 100 megahertz of midband spectrum previously dedicated to military purposes for commercial use starting in mid-2022, to ramp up fifth-generation network coverage in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission will be able to auction this spectrum to companies like Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc from December 2021, and the wireless industry could be using it by summer of the following year, White House adviser and U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios told reporters.



*United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Explains the Importance of Completing the Census [ [link removed] ]*

Live from Music Row Thursday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy broadcast on Nashvilles Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. host Leahy welcomed United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to the program. At the end of the third hour, Ross explained why completing the 2020 Census was important for communities. He added that the census is completely confidential and that it can never be accessed by anyone at any time and encouraged people to complete it.



Upcoming Events

*Invention-Con 2020 [ [link removed] ]*

Are you an independent inventor, entrepreneur, small business owner, or intellectual property (IP) professional? If so, mark your calendars now for Invention-Con 2020, coming Thursday Saturday, August 20 22.This years theme is Your IP: A power tool for building success.Registernow for this special event [ [link removed] ].



*The Bureau of Industry and Security Virtual Conference on Export Controls [ [link removed] ]*

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will offer a virtual conference on export control policy on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. This full day virtual experience will include keynote speakers, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and live Q&A with BIS and other agency experts.



*MED Week 2020: September 13-19, 2020* [ [link removed] ]

Save the date for the 2020 National Minority Enterprise Development Week Conference! A week-long virtual event filled with curated workshops and networking opportunities. Sign up for email notifications and be the first to know when registration opens [link removed]















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