Commerce at a Glance: May 15, 2021

The Latest News

Secretary Raimondo Names New Members to United States-Brazil CEO Forum

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo met virtually with Brazilian Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes. During the call, Secretary Raimondo informed Minister Guedes of her recent appointment of three new private sector members to the U.S. Section of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum. The Secretary and Minister Guedes also discussed their mutual commitment to continue to work through the Forum and U.S.-Brazil CEO Commercial Dialogue to grow bilateral trade and investment.

Don Graves Sworn-in As Deputy Secretary of Commerce

On May 14, Don Graves was sworn-in as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo following a Senate confirmation vote of 89-7. Graves was sworn-in on a copy of the 13th amendment that was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and more than 150 members of Congress, gifted to his third-great-grandfather by his friend, U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, and passed down through his family for generations.

Biden-Harris Administration Approves First Major Offshore Wind Project in U.S. Waters

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today announced approval of the construction and operation of the Vineyard Wind project — the first large-scale, offshore wind project in the United States. The Secretaries were joined in the announcement by labor leaders who have been working to ensure that the project is built and maintained by union labor.

Secretary Raimondo Joins New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham, Sen. Luján, and Rep. Leger Fernández For Listening Session on Broadband Expansion With Navajo Nation President Nez

Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo participated in a virtual listening session with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and other Navajo officials on the barriers to reaching one hundred percent broadband access across the Navajo Nation.

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Around Commerce

National Hurricane Preparedness

Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season.

The tourist industry was not the only sector impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Hawaii.

EDA and Feed the Hunger Help Stabilize Market Access for Hawaii’s Small Farmers

The coronavirus pandemic hit Hawaii’s tourist economy like the surf at Pe’ahi; almost overnight, visitor arrivals plummeted more than 99 percent.1 But the impact of the disaster was felt far beyond the normally crowded beaches and mega-resorts of Waikiki and Wailea.

Journeys of Innovation: Innovating to Fight Ebola

Motivated by Columbia University's 2014 Design Challenge to fight Ebola, Jason Kang, Katherine Jin, and Kevin Tyan created Highlight, an additive that temporarily colors disinfectants made with bleach so users can confirm they've properly treated a contaminated surface. The trio founded Kinnos to develop and market their product, and they're now firmly establishing themselves in the world of infection prevention.

Trade Remedies Ensuring a Free and Fair International Trade System

Ensuring a Free & Fair International Trade System

At the core of President Biden’s Build Back Better initiative is economic recovery that drives wage growth and leads to better outcomes for all Americans. International trade is a key component this recovery, and in honor of World Trade Month, we’re taking a closer look at how the International Trade Administration supports a fair, and rules-based system of trade that both defends and empowers American workers and manufacturers.

Commerce Data and Research

BEA Updates Tool for Economic Impact Studies

How would expanding a community college, building a new factory, or increasing government spending on roads impact your local economy? The Bureau of Economic Analysis has a tool that can help answer questions like these. Local planners, business people, and policymakers use the Regional Input-Output Modeling System to predict the potential economic impacts of a variety of projects and events, even natural disasters like hurricanes.

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The Opportunity Project Helps Streamline the Sharing of COVID-19 Test Results

In the midst of a global pandemic, diagnostic results from COVID-19 testing are crucial for decision-making at all levels, from school boards and doctors to employers and local government officials.

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NIST Releases Tips and Tactics for Dealing With Ransomware

Used in cyberattacks that can paralyze organizations, ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a computer system’s data and demands payment to restore access. To help organizations protect against ransomware attacks and recover from them if they happen, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has published an infographic offering a series of simple tips and tactics.

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In Case You Missed It

May 6, 2021

Biden Officials Make Recommendations for Protecting 30% of U.S. Land, Water

Biden administration officials on Thursday took their first step toward carrying out the president’s campaign pledge to conserve 30% of U.S. land and water over the next decade, outlining six categories for how land and water should be used. The report by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory calls on the administration to back locally-led conservation projects across the country with investments and focused policies.

May 6, 2021

Secretaries Raimondo and Walsh Travel to Connecticut to Discuss Importance of Investing in Apprenticeships through the American Jobs Plan

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on Monday in Connecticut to meet with business and labor leaders and elected officials on the importance of strengthening America’s workforce development infrastructure through investments in the American Jobs Plan.

May 5, 2021

‘I miss Rhode Island’: Raimondo returns to Providence with VP Harris to promote jobs plan

It’s been a month-and-a-half since U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo resigned as the governor of Rhode Island to take up her new post in Washington, D.C. But she had the opportunity to briefly return to her home state with Vice President Kamala Harris to promote President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan. “He’s calling for historic investments, and this will be great for Rhode Island,” Raimondo said.

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