2024 Monthly Newsletter

We hope you find this information useful and the newsletter informative; please click on the links to see our Resources for Rural Communities, Resources for Women Entrepreneurs, Resources for the Military Community they are also found on our Services for Businesses page. If you have any questions, please email PublicEngagement@doc.gov. 

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is focused on U.S. advanced microchip production — and keeping the chips out of China and Russia. 

Secretary Raimondo Highlights Public-Private Partnerships to Deepen Bilateral Commercial Ties & Announces Joint Statement on AI and Digital Upskilling

Secretary Raimondo led members of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) to Nairobi, where she underscored the impact of the Commerce-wide Africa strategy and highlighted numerous announcements and commercial deals that will strengthen bilateral commercial ties.  See full article

Department of Commerce Restricts Export of All Firearms to Non-Government Entities in High-Risk Countries

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released an interim final rule (IFR) amending the Department’s licensing policy for exports of firearms, ammunition, and related components under its jurisdiction. The changes being announced are intended to reduce the risk of legally exported firearms and related items being diverted or misused to fuel regional instability, drug trafficking, human rights violations, political violence, and other activities that undermine U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.  Read more

CHIPS for America Announces over $50 million Funding Opportunity to Encourage Small Business Research and Development

The CHIPS for America program anticipates up to approximately $54 million in funding across multiple topics on research projects for critically needed measurement services, tools, and instrumentation; innovative manufacturing metrologies; novel assurance and provenance technologies and advanced metrology research and development (R&D) testbeds to help secure U.S. leadership in the global semiconductor industry. See full article

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Preliminary Terms with Samsung Electronics to Establish Leading-Edge Semiconductor Ecosystem in Central Texas

Proposed CHIPS Investment of up to $6.4 Billion Would Complement More than $40 Billion in Private Investment to Support a Comprehensive Semiconductor Cluster for Leading-Edge Logic, Advanced Packaging, and R&D in Taylor, Texas, and Expansion of Austin Fab in Texas.  See full article

U.S. Remains World's Top Destination for Foreign Direct Investment for 12th Consecutive Year

The United States has been ranked as the top destination for foreign direct investment for the 12th consecutive year according to Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council’s 2024 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index.  The annual survey of global senior executives and investors found that the United States maintains its lead ranking for over a decade due to the growing strength of the U.S. economy and rebounding consumer sentiment.  See full article

U.S. and UK Announce Partnership on Science of AI Safety

The U.S. and UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop tests for the most advanced AI models, following through on commitments made at the AI Safety Summit last November. Signed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, the partnership will see both countries working to align their scientific approaches and working closely to accelerate and rapidly iterate robust suites of evaluations for AI models, systems, and agents. See full article

Request for Information: AI-Ready Open Government Data Assets What is the AI and Open Government Data Assets Working Group, and why have they launched a Request for Information (RFI)?  The working group has launched a Request for Information (RFI) to collaborate with the private and public sectors as the Department explores producing AI-ready data. The RFI will close on July 16th, 2024.   Read more here

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces First-of-its-Kind National Child Care Innovation Summit

During a White House event on expanding access to care and other supportive services workers need to train for and stay in good-paying jobs, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Commerce Department will co-host a first-of-its-kind National Child Care Innovation Summit later this year. The summit will be held in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Read more

By The Numbers: U.S. Economy Gains Over 300,000 Jobs in March

GDP and Personal Income Rise in All 50 States and the District of Columbia.  Job creation in March exceeded expectations, with 303,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy, according to the latest report from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nearly 15.2 million jobs have been created under President Biden and unemployment has remained under 4 percent—the longest stretch in 50 years.  Read more

Secretary Raimondo Highlights Bilateral Commercial Relationship, Need for Diverse Semiconductor Supply Chains in Visit to Costa Rica

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Costa Rica to emphasize the strength of the U.S.-Costa Rican bilateral commercial and investment relationship and to underscore the importance of diverse and resilient semiconductor supply chains. During her visit, Secretary Raimondo highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to diversify the semiconductor supply chain with partners like Costa Rica as a compliment to the historic investments in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing under President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act.  See full article  

75th Anniversary of NATO (1949): April 4, 2024

From the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: A SHORT HISTORY OF NATO  “It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. This is only partially true. In fact, the Alliance’s creation was part of a broader effort to serve three purposes: deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration. Read more

WHAT YOU MISSED:

Office of Public Engagement: Hosted Its Very First OPE(n) House on April 11, 2024.

Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships: Hosted the National Chambers of Commerce Leaders Roundtable

The roundtable helped to streamline access to resources by unlocking whole of Commerce pathways to economic growth, entrepreneurship and job creation. Conversation addressed critical opportunities on issues ranging from workforce development to access to data & innovation. The breakout sessions focused on business development, banking, acquisitions, innovation, climate resilience, and entrepreneurship. More on event here or Contact OFBNP

COMMERCE FUN FACT 

Clara Juanita Morris Kreps was an American economist, educator and businesswoman who served as the 24th U.S.Secretary of Commerce under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1979. Kreps was the first woman to hold that post and the fourth female ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.

During the month of April, we recognize and/or celebrate:

Highlighted Grant Opportunities