Commerce at a Glance: November 16, 2020

The Latest News

U.S. Departments of Labor, Commerce and Education Sign Six Party Joint Declaration of Intent with Germany

Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today ratified a Joint Declaration of Intent with their German counterparts concerning cooperation on apprenticeships, vocational education and training.

U.S. Economy Adds 638,000 Jobs as Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.9%

On November 6, 2020 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. economy added 638,000 jobs and unemployment fell to 6.9% in October 2020.

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Census Bureau Updates Census Business Builder to Version 3.2

Recently the U.S. Census Bureau released the version 3.2 update to Census Business Builder (CBB). CBB is a suite of services that provide selected demographic and economic data tailored to specific types of users in a simple to access and use format.

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4 Million to Establish Workforce Training Facility Near Wabash County, Indiana, Opportunity Zone

On November 2, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4 million grant to Wabash County, Indiana, to expand the Heartland Career Center to provide adult career training in healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

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Around Commerce

New Airflow Videos Show Why Masks With Exhalation Valves Do Not Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Many people wear masks in public to slow the spread of COVID-19, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, masks with exhalation valves do not slow the spread of the disease, and now, new videos from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) show why.

Journeys of innovation: LOOK OUT!

Captivated by innovation and storytelling as a child, Garrett Brown was many things—folk singer, car dealer, copywriter, radio personality—before he invented the Steadicam and Skycam, whose stable, gliding shots have captivated movie and television audiences ever since. At 78, with more than 50 patents, 70 films, an Oscar, and an Emmy to his name—among other impressive awards and honors—he is still inventing, this time on what could be a revolutionary new alternative to walkers and wheelchairs.

Tribal Nations Respond to Coronavirus with Help from FirstNet

First responders in tribal nations are tackling the COVID-19 health crisis with dedication and innovation, and many are turning to technology solutions to enhance their operations. Tribal nations large and small are powering their coronavirus response with FirstNet, the only communications network built for first responders.

2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season takes Infamous Top Spot for Busiest on Record

With less than a month remaining in the Atlantic hurricane season, the formation of Subtropical Storm Theta on November 10 over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean made the 2020 season the most active on record.

Commerce Data & Reports

Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2019

The new U.S. data show that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.1 percent ($459.8 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2019. At the state level, outdoor recreation value added as a share of state GDP ranged from 5.8 percent in Hawaii to 1.3 percent in Connecticut. The share was 1.1 percent in the District of Columbia.

Post-9/11 Veterans More Likely Than Non-veterans to be Employed

Employment among the nation’s three million post-9/11 veterans was higher from 2014 to 2018 than it was among those who never served in the armed forces, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report recently released.

In Case You Missed It

November 12, 2020

TikTok can continue to operate in the U.S., Commerce Department says

The U.S. government has given TikTok a stay of execution. The Commerce Department said Thursday it will abide by an Oct. 30 temporary injunction that prevented the government from effectively shutting down TikTok.

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November 5, 2020

City Furniture growth impresses Commerce Secretary Ross

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said he was more hopeful about an economic recovery after visiting City Furniture in Tamarac, Fla., Oct. 23. Ross praised the Home Furnishings Association member for overcoming the challenges of doing business during a public health crisis. “As our economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, your company’s commitment to your community and to your 2,400 workers – soon to grow by hundreds more – gives me great hope,” Ross said during a business roundtable following a tour of City Furniture facilities.

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November 3, 2020

Wilbur Ross warns Schrems II ruling could have ‘severe consequences’ for EU-US trade

The US secretary of commerce, Wilbur Ross, has warned that the so-called Shrems II ruling could undermine transatlantic trade with “severe economic consequences” for Europe and the US. Earlier this year the European Court of Justice (ECJ) struck down a major agreement governing the transfer of EU citizens’ data to the US… Speaking at a leadership event hosted by Irish-American business group Ireland INC, Mr Ross said the US “ remains deeply concerned” by the ruling, which he said, had negative implications for the standard data transfers that underpin $7.1 trillion in EU/US trade.

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