Minority entrepreneurs make critical contributions to our economy generating nearly $2 trillion in revenue each year. However, an equity gap remains between minority and non-minority-owned businesses. Last week, Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves spoke about the need to close this equity gap at the 40 th Annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week . Hosted by Commerce’s Minority Business...

Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed an executive order (EO) to build U.S. capacity to evaluate and mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to ensure safety, security, and trust, while promoting an innovative, competitive AI ecosystem that supports workers and protects consumers. The U.S. Department of Commerce will play a key role in implementing the EO, combining...

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves will travel to South Africa to participate in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum’s two-day Ministerial meeting and co-host the event’s robust one-day Private Sector Forum, in Johannesburg, South Africa from November 2-4, 2023. He will meet senior government officials from a number of partner countries, including South Africa, to...

By Renee Gordon, FirstNet Authority Board Vice Chair Being a first responder is not for the faint of heart. Every day, you are put to the test – in mind, body, and spirit. You must be willing to sacrifice everything in service of others. First responders are true heroes. On October 28, we celebrate National First Responders Day and the bravery and dedication of our nation’s heroes. The law of...

Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Germany’s Minister for Digital Policy and Transportation Volker Wissing to discuss potential opportunities to further cooperation on transatlantic digital trade. Secretary Raimondo underscored the importance of Germany’s support of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. Secretary Raimondo raised the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for...

By Ryan A. Higgins, Department of Commerce Chief Information Security Officer The 20 th anniversary of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an excellent reminder that not only are cyber threats still a serious issue, but they have also grown and become more sophisticated. Thankfully, protecting ourselves online has been made easier than ever with the adoption of new technologies to...

Consumer Confidence on Rise as Americans Make and Spend More Today, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported third quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.9%, exceeding expectations. The increase in GDP is in large part due to Americans spending and making more. Consumer confidence is strong. Today’s report shows consumer spending...

Today, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, alongside Chief Economist for the Invest in America Cabinet and Member of the Council of Economic Advisors Heather Boushey, and Deputy Chief of Staff at the National Economic Council Sean Christiansen, updated the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness (ACSCC) on the Biden-Harris Administration’s...