Commerce at a Glance: November 30, 2021

The Latest News

Dingell, Peters, Raimondo Host Roundtable in Michigan About Semiconductor Chip Shortage

Recently, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Senator Gary Peters (MI) hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and industry, labor, and state and local government partners at the UAW Region 1A in Taylor, Michigan for a roundtable discussion about the semiconductor chip shortage.

Commerce Lists Entities Involved in the Support of PRC Military Quantum Computing Applications, Pakistani Nuclear and Missile Proliferation, and Russia’s Military

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule adding twenty-seven foreign entities and individuals to the Entity List for engaging in activities that are contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

Commerce Department Applauds President Biden’s Signing of Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into Law

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo applauded President Biden for signing the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law.

“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and ability to work across the aisle, we can finally welcome much-needed infrastructure investments that will impact every community in America,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo. “This is a huge win for American families, workers, and businesses, and will make America more competitive on the world stage through critical investments here at home.”

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces First Travel to Asia

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo made her first official visit to Asia from Nov. 15-18, where she met with government officials and business leaders in Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Commerce Adds NSO Group and Other Foreign Companies to Entity List for Malicious Cyber Activities

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released a final rule adding four foreign companies to the Entity List for engaging in activities that are contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. The four entities are located in Israel, Russia, and Singapore.

Department of Commerce Honors U.S. Companies with Presidential Award for Export Achievements

The Department of Commerce recently honored 31 U.S. companies and organizations that export goods and services overseas by naming them winners of the 2021 President’s “E” Awards. This year’s winners hail from 20 states, and of the 31 honorees, 25 are small and medium-sized businesses, and 14 firms are manufacturers.

Department of Commerce’s NTIA Awards First Grants to Tribal Groups Seeking to Expand Broadband

Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded the first three grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. These initial awards, totaling nearly $1.4 million, are being made to the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe in Virginia, and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community Wisconsin.

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Around Commerce

GeoColor image of Hurricane Ida, Tropical Storm Julian, and Tropical Depression Ten from NOAA's GOES-16 satellite on August 29, 2021. (NOAA)

Active 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Officially Ends

The active 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially concludes today having produced 21 named storms, including seven hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater) of which four were major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater). This above-average hurricane season was accurately predicted by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

NIST Recommends Steps to Boost Resilience of U.S. Timekeeping

The nation should bolster research and development of systems that distribute accurate time via fiber-optic cable and radio as part of the effort to back up GPS and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure that depends on it, according to a new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Journeys of Innovation: Uncommon Design, Uncommon Valor

Forty years after his service as an engineer during the Civil War, George Gillespie redesigned the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, which he himself received. By obtaining a design patent, Gillespie ensured the integrity of the medal for future generations of U.S. service members.

Streamlined NIST Tool Could Help Homeowners, Renters Reduce Airborne Exposure to COVID

COVID-19 is still circulating in the U.S. and may once again gain traction as families and friends gather indoors over the holidays. There are several measures that, combined with vaccination, could curtail a new wave of infections. One often-overlooked approach for homes is managing air flow and air cleaning.

Commerce by the Numbers

Personal Income and Outlays, October 2021

Personal income increased $93.4 billion, or 0.5 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased$214.3 billion, or 1.3 percent, in October. The increase in personal income primarily reflected an increase in compensation of employees.

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Pre-Pandemic Early Childhood Enrollment Expanded as More Enrolled in Public Preschool

State funding of preschool programs surpassed $9 billion in the District of Columbia and the 44 states that funded preschools in the 2019-20 school year and policymakers are increasingly focusing on early childhood education, including the current administration’s proposed initiative of universal pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds.

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Who Are the Owners of Exporting Firms?

Combined data show how many matched exporting firms were owned by women, veterans and minorities, as well as total value of exported goods.

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Minority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Businesses and Workers in Indian Country

The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) released a report entitled, “Keys to Unlocking Business Development in Indian Country.” The report is the result of an in-depth examination of economic characteristics across 166 tribes in comparison to the broader U.S. economy, including regional and rural areas.

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