December 5, 2014
This
week, Secretary Pritzker traveled to Chicago for an armchair discussion and
Q&A session with the students at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.
She then visited the Digital Manufacturing Design Innovation Institute, one of
the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation institutes announced by
President Obama last February, for a roundtable discussion to learn directly
from leading partners about their current opportunities and challenges.
Secretary
Pritzker finished the week by participating in the first organizational meeting
of the 27-member 2014-2016 National Advisory Committee on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (NACIE). During the meeting, Secretary Pritzker gave remarks
discussing the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry-driven
job skills training in helping communities, businesses, and the workforce
become more globally competitive. In addition, NACIE members convened strategic
planning sessions and provided preliminary plans for projects to undertake
during their two year term.
Around
Commerce, Deputy Secretary Bruce Andrews addressed the Entertainment Software
Industry; Assistant Secretary Jay Williams spoke on strengthening tribal
economies; and the International Trade Administration released a video to help
companies decide if they are ready to export.
In
personal news, I have decided to move onto new challenges and will be stepping
down as Chief of Staff. As I move ahead, I would like to thank the talented
employees at the Commerce Department for their commitment to delivering real
results that help strengthen our economy, support American businesses, and bring
prosperity to the American people.
All
the best,
Wendy
U.S.
Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Kicks Off First Meeting of the National
Advisory Committee on Innovation and Entrepreneurship- Secretary Pritzker
delivered remarks focused on the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation,
and industry-driven job skills training in helping communities, businesses, and
the workforce become more globally competitive.
Secretary
Pritzker Visits Chicago to Discuss Tools Needed for Continued Economic Growth
and Commercial Diplomacy- Secretary Pritzker joined David Axelrod, Director
of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, for an armchair
discussion and Q&A session, where she discussed her career background, what
the Administration is doing to promote economic growth, her role as Commerce
Secretary, and advice to young people starting their careers.
U.S.
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman
Announce Schedule for 25th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on
Commerce and Trade-Secretary Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael
Froman will host a high-level Government of China delegation, and for the first
time, the JCCT schedule includes a full day of events designed to facilitate
private sector engagement with officials from the U.S. and Chinese governments.
Deputy
Secretary Bruce Andrews Addresses Entertainment Software Industry on Commerce
Department Initiatives to Help American Businesses and Entrepreneurs Stay
Competitive- Deputy Secretary Andrews attributed much of the entertainment
industry’s success to its commitment to training and maintaining a skilled
workforce. He also said that the Department of Commerce is committed to
developing public-private partnerships with the entertainment software
industry.
Discover
Global Opportunities for Sustainable Solutions- The U.S. Commercial Service, in cooperation with NASA, will host a dynamic,
three-day business forum focused on opportunities for U.S. companies to meet
global demand for sustainable solutions. The Discover Global Markets conference will be in Silicon
Valley, February 9-11, 2015.
Strengthening
Tribal Economies – Jobs, Energy, Housing, and Infrastructure- Jay Williams,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development wrote about his experience
moderating the “Strengthening Tribal Economies – Jobs, Energy, Housing, and
Infrastructure” breakout session, and
how the U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with Tribal
communities from coast to coast to promote economic development in Indian
Country.
Innovation
Support is in Demand- Julie Kirk, Director of the Office of Innovation and
Entrepreneurship wrote about how the Regional Innovation Strategies program
supports commercialization and entrepreneurship. This effort is also in line
with the Department’s “Open for Business Agenda” priority to strengthen
operational excellence: providing better services, solutions, and outcomes to
better serve the American people.
NIST
Awards $2.5 Million in Grants to MEP Centers for Pilot Business-to-Business
Networks- The networks will help match buyers and sellers of technologies
or products and services in support of small and midsize manufacturers. This is
an example of the Department of Commerce’s efforts to invest in cutting-edge
technologies through public-private collaboration.
The
Public Computer Center at the College of Menominee Nations, Wisconsin- The
construction of a new 10,000 square foot campus Technology Center and upgrades
of broadband capacity has greatly enhanced the economic recovery of the area by
providing certificate and diploma-based training in office technology,
electrical trades, welding, and sustainable residential building.
Businesses
Commit to Alleviate Their Suppliers’ Capital Costs- A recently released Department of Commerce
report, “The Economic Benefits of Reducing Supplier Working Capital Costs,”
highlighted how much the viability of the nation’s supply chain depends on
large firms paying on time.
Is
Your Company Ready to Export?- A new video from the Commerce Department’s
International Trade Administration (ITA), provides tips from successful
exporters about how a company can become a global player: do your research,
differentiate yourself, be patient, and work with ITA’s Commercial Service.
NOAA:
Atlantic Hurricane Season Stays Quiet as Predicted- The season afforded NOAA scientists with
opportunities to produce new forecast products, showcase successful modeling
advancements, and conduct research to benefit future forecasts.
Using
Data to Understand and Combat the Spread of HIV/AIDS- Census Bureau
Director John Thompson says that tracking and compiling data are important
elements in understanding and combatting the spread of HIV and AIDS. Today, the
database contains over 164,000 records from more than 14,900 sources, with more
added every year.
New
Commerce Wireless Contract to Save Taxpayers Nearly $25M- The Department
has successfully launched over 15 strategic sourcing initiatives, capturing
over $54 million in savings and a sevenfold return on investment.
Update
on USPTO Satellite Offices- The United States Patent and Trademark Office
has expanded the footprint across the country, offering services at the
doorsteps of entrepreneurs, and addressing challenges particular industries are
facing.
The
Bureau of Economic Analysis wrote that Real
Consumer Spending Increases in October and that GDP
Increases in Third Quarter on their blog this week
Construction
spending during October 2014 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual
rate of $971.0 billion, 1.1 percent above the revised September estimate of
$960.3 billion. The October figure is 3.3 percent above the October 2013
estimate of $939.9 billion.
The
goods and services deficit was $43.4 billion in October, down $0.2 billion
from $43.6 billion in September, revised. October exports were $197.5 billion,
$2.3 billion more than September exports. October imports were $241.0 billion,
$2.1 billion more than September imports.
October
2014 new orders for manufactured goods decreased 0.7 percent, to $496.6
billion. Shipments fell 0.8 percent, to $499.2 billion. Unfilled orders
increased 0.4 percent to $1,174.2 billion. And inventories rose 0.1 percent, to
$655.6 billion.
Commerce
Data in the News: The
Associated Press cites Census Bureau
statistics on mobility and household income to show the trend of more-educated
people moving and less-educated staying where they grew up in the article Escaping
the Wealth Gap Can Mean Fleeing Hometowns.
The
Washington Post cites statistics on
gender and employment to write that women tend to enter professions that make
it easy to work anywhere, and move for any reason, including for a spouse. Men
choose careers in fields that are geographically constrained. In other words,
men have to move in order to move up, in the article Why
Couples Move for a Man’s Job, but not a Woman’s.
Data Releases Next
Week: Quarterly Financial
Report/Manufacturing, Mining and Wholesale Trade: 2014 Q3 (Census); Monthly
Wholesale Trade: October (Census); Quarterly Services: 2014 Q3 (Census);
Advance Monthly Retail Sales: November (Census); Manufacturing and Trade: Inventories
and Sales: October (Census)
On
Tuesday, USPTO
will host a webinar about the Thomas Alva Edison Visiting Scholars and their
ongoing research projects related to issues bearing on abusive patent
litigation in Alexandria, VA.
On Wednesday, Deputy Secretary Bruce
Andrews will deliver remarks and participate in a panel discussion as part of a
BSA | The Software Alliance event on the data economy. Deputy Secretary Andrews
will discuss Commerce Department efforts to promote innovation and unleash more
government data during the event, which is hosted by the National Press Club as
part of its Newsmaker Series.
On Thursday, NTIA’s head of
International Affairs Fiona Alexander will participate on a panel about the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition at the Federal
Communications Bar Association Continuing Legal Education event on Internet
governance and the UN.
On
Friday, Census Bureau Director John Thompson and Deputy Director Nancy Potok
will participate in the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee meeting
in Suitland, MD. The FESAC members advise the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau on statistical methodology and
other technical matters related to the collection, tabulation and analysis of
federal economic statistics
Secretary
Pritzker kicked off the first organizational meeting of the 2014-2016
National Advisory Committee on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Exports are a huge part of the Chicago economy, and Secretary
Pritzker was happy to meet the Commercial Service team in the Windy City
that is helping area businesses sell their quality goods and services around
the world.
Compare Young Adults Across the Decades with Census Explorer-
The latest statistics from the American Community Survey, derived from data
collected across the country from 2009 to 2013, show how characteristics of the
population have changed over time.
| 
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
