Commerce at a Glance: January 31, 2022

The Latest News

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo on Qatar Airways’ Purchase of Boeing Aircraft

Today, following her participation in a signing ceremony for Qatar Airways’ purchase of Boeing Aircraft, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo released the following statement: “I’m honored and excited to celebrate this new development in the thriving trade relationship between the United States and Qatar. Today, we’re announcing a deal of historic significance between the Boeing Company and Qatar Airways’ cargo affiliate. This deal is the largest dollar value commitment for freighter aircraft in Boeing’s history.

Deputy Secretary Graves, OPM Director Ahuja Host Virtual Roundtable with Representative Frederica Wilson on Equitable Hiring in the Federal Government

Following the Biden Administration’s first-ever interagency convening on economic growth, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja hosted a virtual roundtable to bring leaders together to discuss ways to reinvent the federal workforce through the lens of equity and make the federal government the model employer.

Commerce Semiconductor Data Confirms Urgent Need for Congress to Pass U.S. Innovation and Competition Act

The U.S. Department of Commerce released the results from the Risks in the Semiconductor Supply Chain Request for Information (RFI) issued in Sept. 2021. Key findings from the report provided data-driven information about the depths of the semiconductor shortage and underscored the need for the President’s proposed $52 billion in domestic semiconductor production.

Commerce Department Requests Information on Supporting a Strong U.S. Semiconductor Industry

The U.S. Department of Commerce is calling for information that will guide programs designed to support a strong domestic semiconductor industry. The Request for Information published today in the Federal Register asks for input to inform the planning and design of potential programs to incentivize investment in semiconductor manufacturing facilities and associated ecosystems; provide for shared infrastructure to accelerate semiconductor research, development, and prototyping; and support research related to advanced packaging and advanced metrology to ensure a robust domestic semiconductor industry.

USPTO Creates New Programs to Provide Economic Relief during the Pandemic

In response to a January 2021 Executive Order (EO) on economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established an Economic Relief Working Group (ERWG) comprised of individuals from across the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to identify and develop programs and strategies to fulfill the goals of the EO – specifically, “to provide the greatest relief to individuals, families, small business; and to State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments.”

Statements from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves on Intel’s Announcement of a Semiconductor Facility in Columbus, Ohio

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves released the following statements today after Intel announced it would be investing $20 billion to build two semiconductor facilities outside Columbus, Ohio, and create 3,000 Intel jobs, and 7,000 construction jobs over the course of the build.

Department of Commerce Seeks Internet of Things Experts for New Advisory Board

The U.S. Department of Commerce seeks qualified nominations for a new Internet of Things Advisory Board to advise the recently established Internet of Things Federal Working Group. The advisory board will include a wide range of stakeholders outside of the federal government with expertise relating to the Internet of Things (IoT).

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Around Commerce

How Do You Measure the Acidity (pH) of the Ocean?

In a chemistry lab, you determine how acidic or basic something is by using the pH scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 considered neutral, as is the case with plain water. Anything below a pH of 7 is an acid, and anything above 7 is a base, or alkaline.

Journeys of innovation Audio stories ”Let's do this for real”

Journeys of Innovation: ”Let's do this for real”

Doug Scott's innovative approach to teaching, inspired by a childhood filled with opportunities to fix and build things, enables students to solve real-world problems and seek patents for their solutions.

Microelectronics Early Alert System

Semiconductor shortages have impacted production for U.S. manufacturers across a wide range of industries. COVID-related shutdowns or disruptions to semiconductor manufacturing facilities and their related supply chains around the world can worsen this shortage. Report disruptions by using the Microelectronics Early Alert System

Parents and Children Interacted More During COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic upended many family dynamics but one positive consequence of this upheaval: Parents shared more dinners and read to their children more often, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Commerce by the Numbers

Gross Domestic Product, Fourth Quarter and Year 2021

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021, following an increase of 2.3 percent in the third quarter. The acceleration in the fourth quarter was led by an upturn in exports as well as accelerations in inventory investment and consumer spending.

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Novice Data Users: Help Is on the Way

Working with U.S. Census Bureau data can feel like a complex puzzle and finding the right pieces to complete the picture may seem daunting to anyone who is not a statistician.

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NOAA Celebrates 50 Years of Landmark Coastal, Ocean Legislation

Do you enjoy exploring, swimming, surfing, boating, fishing or just relaxing along our nation’s public beaches and shorelines? What about venturing out to the ocean to see seals, dolphins or whales?

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Department of Commerce’s NTIA Awards Additional $1.5M in Broadband Grants to Tribal Groups

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today it has awarded three additional grants as part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. These grants, totaling $1.5 million, are being awarded to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in Lincoln, Ore., and two Alaskan villages: the Village of Clarks Point and the Native Village of Selawik.

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