Robert Santos was sworn in today as the U.S. Census Bureau’s 26th director, becoming the first Latino person to serve in the role. This appointment follows the U.S. Senate confirmation Nov. 4, 2021, with Santos’ term set to last for five years. “Mr. Santos is a tremendous leader and I have full confidence that he will lead the Census Bureau with integrity in the years ahead,” said Secretary of...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department will be awarding $4.2 million to Tribal communities in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Wisconsin in order for them to build broadband infrastructure and increase connectivity on Tribal lands. The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.2 million grant to the Ute Mountain...

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo issued the following statement highlighting key accomplishments at the Department of Commerce since the Biden-Harris administration took office on January 20, 2021. The U.S. Department of Commerce also released a fact sheet highlighting detailed accomplishments from each of the Bureaus. “As Secretary of Commerce, I’ve been honored to help...

Firefighters, police officers, and other public safety workers could use data from multiple internet-connected devices to save lives. However, most off-the-shelf technology doesn’t work for public safety users. Imagine firefighters crawling on their hands and knees through a smoky environment; they can’t tactilely handle — let alone see — a smartphone to access maps or building data or receive...

Today, Secretary Gina M. Raimondo held a call with Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy of the Republic of Korea Moon Sung Wook to discuss the development of President Biden’s Indo-Pacific economic framework as well as U.S.-South Korea commercial engagement on semiconductors and supply chain resilience. During the call, Secretary Raimondo noted that the U.S. shares South Korea’s goal of...

First responders need to make fast decisions based on the best information they have available. Police, fire, and EMS crews usually rely on radio communication channels along with dispatch and eyewitness reports for that information. But this is the Internet Age. As data from the Internet of Things devices become more prevalent, public safety could use that data to save more lives. The Internet of...

Today, Secretary Gina M. Raimondo spoke with the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment Dan Tehan to further discuss the development of President Biden’s Indo-Pacific economic framework. Secretary Raimondo and Minister Tehan also shared updates with each other on progress made to relaunch the U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Working Group, which they jointly announced after their...

Today, Secretary Gina M. Raimondo held a call with Singapore’s Minster for Communications and Information Josephine Teo, where they discussed collaboration on the digital economy and shared updates on the U.S.-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation since their last meeting during Secretary Raimondo’s trip to the region. Secretary Raimondo also welcomed Minister Teo’s thoughts as the...