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August 31, 2020

Coronavirus Disease

Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know   Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)   Guidelines for Opening Up America Again

Latest News

Op-Ed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross: Trump Continues to Fulfill his Promises on Trade

President Donald J. Trump has implemented more initiatives permanently improving our economy than any president who has preceded him. We have experienced tremendous accomplishments over the last three and a half years as the Trump administration has implemented tax, regulatory, workforce, and trade policies that make the United States the number-one country for investment in new and expanded production capacity – for both American and International companies.

Commerce Department Adds 24 Chinese Companies to the Entity List for Helping Build Military Islands in the South China Sea

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added 24 Chinese companies to the Entity List for their role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize the internationally condemned artificial islands in the South China Sea. Despite protests from the United States and other countries, the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been rapidly building the artificial islands since 2013, enabling the Communist Chinese Party’s (CCP) militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea to undermine the sovereign rights of U.S. partners in the region.

Commerce Virtual Interns Support Agency’s Mission

As summer 2020 comes to an end, the U.S. Department of Commerce interns are returning to their programs of study and embarking on academic journeys with the knowledge to last a lifetime. While their internships occurred during an unprecedented time, their experiences are certainly memorable.

USPTO Announces 2020 Patents for Humanity Winners

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the latest winners of the Patents for Humanity program, a USPTO initiative promoting game-changing innovations that address long-standing development challenges.

ITS Challenges Creators to Enhance Computer Vision for Public Safety

For decades, NTIA’s research laboratory, the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), has been working alongside the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research program (PSCR) and the public safety community to enhance mission-critical communications. First, it was all about intelligible voice communications. But first responders now have access to equipment and networks that support video and image transmission as well.

NOAA Announces Regions for First Two Aquaculture Opportunity Areas under Executive Order on Seafood

Efforts to improve seafood security and aquaculture opportunities in the United States moved forward today. NOAA Fisheries announced federal waters off southern California and in the Gulf of Mexico as the first two regions to host Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. The selection of these regions is the first step in a process designed to establish 10 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas nationwide by 2025. These two regions were selected for future aquaculture opportunity area locations based on the already available spatial analysis data and current industry interest in developing sustainable aquaculture operations in the region.

Building Public Safety’s Network

I am honored to have been appointed chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. As I take the helm of the Board, I am eager to continue to drive progress for all of public safety. I first became involved with the FirstNet Authority in 2018, joining the Board just one year after the public-private partnership with AT&T was formed. Since then, I have had the opportunity to watch the network come to life with extensive buildout and widespread adoption among public safety.

Personal Income and Outlays, July 2020

Personal income increased 0.4 percent while consumer spending increased 1.9 percent in July, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

2020 Census

Update From Director Dillingham: More Than 80% of Households Counted

The talented, dedicated women and men of the U.S. Census Bureau are well on the way to delivering a complete and accurate 2020 Census. We are extremely proud to report that more than 80 percent of households have been enumerated nationwide. To date, three states have more than 90 percent of their households counted, and an additional 24 states have more than 80 percent of their households counted. More than half of the non-response follow-up workload is now complete. You can track our progress on completing the 2020 Census data collection online here.

In Case You Missed It

Maryland small businesses to see $3.4M in CARES Act funds

“These investments will provide small businesses across Maryland with the necessary capital to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic and, in turn, create a stronger and more resilient state economy for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Industry supports giving space traffic management work to Commerce Department

Companies and organizations in the space industry support the recommendations of a recent report that the Commerce Department handle civil space traffic management (STM), but say it’s more important that the government settle on an agency and move forward… Industry officials said they agreed with the NAPA report’s assessment. “The Department of Commerce has taken a very strong lead in wanting to be involved in space safety and space sustainability,” said Chris Kunstadter, global head of space for insurer AXA XL, during an Aug. 24 panel session at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Propulsion and Energy Forum. “They have the relationships within the government and access to the right people and right technologies.”

Osterhaler named as new FirstNet Authority board chair

Robert “Tip” Osterthaler will be the new chair for the FirstNet Authority board, which oversees the deployment and operation of FirstNet, the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) being built by AT&T, according to an announcement today by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Tip Osterthaler has been an instrumental FirstNet Board member who will bring exceptional leadership to the organization during the next phase of FirstNet implementation,” Ross said in a prepared statement. “FirstNet’s mission has proved even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am confident Tip will excel in his new role as he ensures first responders have the connectivity they need to support the American people.”

[WATCH] Commerce Dept adding 38 Huawei affiliates to restricted entity list

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross explains how these additional measures will help protect American national security from Huawei and says the U.S.-China trade talks are not impacted by these additions. He later discusses restrictions on the potential sale of TikTok and 5G development.

U.S. to tighten restrictions on Huawei access to technology, chips, sources say

The U.S. Commerce Department actions will expand restrictions announced in May aimed at preventing the Chinese telecommunications giant from obtaining semiconductors without a special license - including chips made by foreign firms that have been developed or produced with U.S. software or technology… “Huawei and its affiliates have worked through third parties to harness U.S. technology in a manner that undermines U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement to Reuters, adding: “this multi-pronged action demonstrates our continuing commitment to impede Huawei’s ability to do so.”

Upcoming Events

Expo 2020 Dubai - A Regional Platform of Opportunity for U.S. Businesses Webinar

Learn about Dubai as a regional hub and as a bridge to emerging markets for American companies, allowing them to conduct business throughout the Middle East, Africa and South Asia from a business friendly, tech forward economy.

National Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week): September 13-19, 2020

The Minority Business Development Agency proudly announces the first-ever virtual MED Week Conference. Join them for a week of unique forums featuring inspirational stories, industry insights, and networking connections.

NIST Workshop on Strengthening Resiliency of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is hosting a virtual workshop on September 15-16, 2020 to support its work on Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services.

NTIA Announces 2020 Spectrum Policy Symposium

On September 22, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will virtually host its annual Spectrum Policy Symposium. The Symposium will bring together experts from academia, private industry, and government to tackle the nation’s most pressing spectrum management challenges.