Economic Growth Due to Increases in Jobs, Incomes, and Spending Today, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported fourth quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 exceeding expectations. Growth was in large part due to an increase in Americans making and spending more. In addition, the economy...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded NOAA $5 million to support the conversion of the Mauna Loa atmospheric baseline observatory in Hawaii to a net-zero carbon facility. The award, part of $250 million in funding announced by DOE’s Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program, will help NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory purchase solar panels and...

NOAA’s satellites, known for their pivotal role in tracking weather and climate, were behind the rescue of 350 people from harrowing, life-threatening ordeals in the U.S. and its surrounding waters in 2023. NOAA’s polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites are part of the global Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system, or COSPAS-SARSAT, which uses a network of U.S. and international...

As we welcome 2024, we have compiled a list of the top stories which not only generated the most attention in 2023, but also encompassed the Commerce Department’s mission to create conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all Americans. These stories reflect many of Commerce’s top priorities and accomplishments for the year including bringing affordable, reliable high-speed Internet...

By Oliver Wise, Sallie Ann Keller, and Victoria Houed In the past year, the explosion of generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the public consciousness has created both excitement and trepidation. GenAI has the potential to change how we work, learn, play, and consume information. In response to this technology - and leaning into the momentum driven by the Executive Order on the Safe...

Hello everyone. This weekend, we honor the indelible life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Day is a particularly special federal holiday, being the only one officially designated as a National Day of Service . As we reflect on Dr. King’s impact on today’s world, it’s important that we also acknowledge the impact we can make by following his example. If we are going to...

Reflecting on a momentous 2023, the DOC Equity (DEIA) Council continued to inspire us, ignite change, and spark action across the Department to cultivate a culture of fairness and inclusion. The Council made significant progress in the critical areas of external service delivery, internal workforce development, measurement, and infrastructure to create a world-class program of sustainability and...

Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda , 2023 brought significant success to American workers and businesses, including the implementation of the $50 billion CHIPS for America Program to revitalize the U.S. position in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing, a $42.45 billion investment to bring affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to every home...