News Information and Media Site: Commerce at a Glance: October 31, 2021

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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo to Chair Council for Inclusive Innovation

In a letter to Council members this week, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced her new role as Chair of the re-branded Council for Inclusive Innovation (CI2). With representatives from industry, academia, non-profit, and government, CI2 will assist the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in developing a comprehensive national strategy to build a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem.

Secretary Raimondo Statement on Extension of Conditional Sailing Order for Cruises

Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo issued the following statement in response to new guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the extension of the Conditional Sail Order (CSO) governing cruise travel that will now expire on January 15, 2022.

Secretary Raimondo Appoints 11 Leaders to FirstNet Board, Names New Board Chair

Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of 11 leaders in public safety, technology and finance to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). Secretary Raimondo also named Stephen Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, as the FirstNet Authority's new Board Chair.

Secretary Raimondo Statement on Release of International Travel Rules

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo recently issued the following statement upon release of new guidance reopening borders for fully-vaccinated international air travelers and land travelers from Mexico and Canada beginning November 8.

"The United States is open for business with all the promise and potential America has to offer. We now invite the global community to visit, whether to visit our beautiful and diverse country or to conduct business in the land of opportunity," said Secretary Raimondo. "To everyone in the travel and tourism industry, the Department recognizes and thanks you for your resilience and engagement throughout the pandemic. As we continue to make important progress in our nation's fight against COVID-19, the Department will continue to be your advocate — together we will build back better."

Secretary Raimondo Applauds White House Release of National Strategy Gender Equity, Reaffirms Commerce Department's Commitment to Promoting Gender Equity

Last week, President Biden released the first-ever U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, produced by the White House Gender Policy Council. It offers a roadmap to achieve the vision of a country and a world where every person has equal access to opportunities; where the safety and security of people of every gender is guaranteed; and where everyone is treated fairly at home and in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Announces First Awards Distributed Under Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan Programs

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo is pleased to announce that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has begun awarding its historic $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks.

Commerce Tightens Export Controls on Items Used in Surveillance of Private Citizens and other Malicious Cyber Activities

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released an interim final rule, establishing controls on the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of certain items that can be used for malicious cyber activities. The rule also creates a new License Exception Authorized Cybersecurity Exports (ACE) and requests public comments on the projected impact of the proposed controls on U.S. industry and the cybersecurity community.

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Around Commerce

NIST materials research engineer Callie Higgins won a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal

NIST's Callie Higgins Wins Service to America Medal

Callie I. Higgins, a materials research engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has won the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in the Emerging Leaders category. Higgins is one of seven medal winners of 29 finalists selected from more than 350 nominations for the "Oscars of public service."

An osprey sits on the nest in Connecticut.

Open Public Comment Period on America the Beautiful Initiative

NOAA is asking for input on what actions NOAA should take to advance President Biden's America the Beautiful initiative. Now through December 28, a new notice in the Federal Register gives the public an opportunity to contribute ideas on ways NOAA can work with community partners. . .

NOAA Spooky Science edition: NOAA Education pumpkin carving templates (Kaleigh Ballantine/Graphic by Kayla do Couto, NOAA Office of Education)

Celebrate Halloween with 31 days of NOAA Spooky Science

It's officially spooky season! Follow along with us as we celebrate all things spooky, odd, or spine-tingling in the ocean and atmosphere with 31 days of NOAA Spooky Science! Check out this article where you can relive all the chilling, creepy content shared this month!

Open up your world by studying in the United States!

New Global Marketing Campaign Aims to Attract International Students, Bolster Education Sector

In This month, the International Trade Administration launched USA: A Study Destination, a new global marketing campaign to promote the United States as a premier destination for international students to study. This effort complements a new federal framework to support the U.S. international education sector and boost U.S. education exports.

Commerce by the Numbers

Census Bureau Releases New Data on Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses

The U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates on the characteristics of employer businesses. According to the 2020 Annual Business Survey (ABS), which covers reference year 2019, approximately 18.7% (1.1 million) of U.S. employer businesses were minority-owned, veteran-owned businesses made up about 5.7% (331,151) of all businesses. About 20.9% (1.2 million) of businesses were owned by women.

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Nearly a Third of Parents Spent Child Tax Credit on School Expenses

Three in 10 families that received monthly Advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments spent them on kids' school expenses, and 1 in 4 families with young children used them to cover child care costs, according to new results from the U.S. Census Bureau's experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS).

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Trade Spotlight: There's Nothing Standard About Standards

You may not realize it, but standards are a part of your everyday life. Like atoms and molecules, standards are often invisible to the naked eye but play a fundamental role in nearly everything we do. From wall outlets in homes to fuel nozzles on cars and pipe fittings for USB ports, standards help keep the world connected. In recognition of World Standards Week, ITA's Office of Standards & Intellectual Property (OSIP) offers a peek behind the curtain into the world of standards and why they matter for global trade.

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Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Awards 13 Grants to Boost U.S. Exports, Support High Quality Jobs

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently announced 13 new grants designed to support the export success of U.S. businesses in key industries. The Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), administered by Commerce's International Trade Administration, awarded nearly $3 million in financial and technical assistance for targeted projects that aim to promote U.S. exports in international markets and remove, reduce, or prevent barriers to trade.

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