Top News
Statement by Secretary Gutierrez after Meeting with Georgian Minister of Economic Development
Washington (Sept. 19)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement regarding the visit of Georgian Minister of Economic Development Ekaterine Sharashidze. “The United States is supporting Georgia’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen its economy. Georgia is a democracy with an open market that offers broad opportunities for U.S. companies, including infrastructure reconstruction. “We look forward to working with Minister Sharashidze to expand the U.S.-Georgia trade and commercial relationship. We are committed to ensuring that the democratic and economic gains that Georgia has made over the past several years are not lost.” (More)
EDA Presents Illinois Funding to Develop and Implement State-Wide Flood Recovery Strategy
East Alton, Ill. (Sept. 18)—Economic and Development Administration Director of Public Affairs Kelly O’Brien (third from right) presented a $500,000 EDA investment check to Illinois Deputy Governor Louanner Peters to develop and implement a state-wide flood recovery strategy. The strategy will ensure that communities devastated by recent natural disasters have clearly articulated an actionable long-term disaster recovery plan that will be integrated with other region-wide economic recovery strategies. (More)
NIST Research Leads to Revisions in California Building Code
Gaithersburg, Md. (Sept. 17)—In August, California revised its Title 24 Building Standards Code to incorporate use of the automated fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) technology developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). FDD uses artificial intelligence rules and statistical analysis to find the location of mechanical problems in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, be it valves, temperature sensors, dampers or coils, to improve the performance and energy efficiency of the system. (More)
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Declares Fishery Resource Disaster for Gulf of Mexico
Miami (Sept. 17)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced a formal determination of a fishery resource disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, due to the devastation following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “The economic impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on fishing communities in the Gulf of Mexico will hurt these communities,” Gutierrez said. “We have a lot of work to do, but this disaster determination is an important step in the recovery process.” Secretary Gutierrez is in Miami, Fla. today to visit the National Hurricane Center and discuss the U.S. government’s efforts to provide hurricane disaster relief to the Gulf Coast. (More)
25th Anniversary of the JCCT Convenes at the Nixon Library and Birthplace in California
Yorba Linda, Calif. (Sept. 16)—The 19th Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), was held at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation. The JCCT is a high-level government-to-government forum to address trade and investment issues. Pictured from the right is U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Chinese Customs Minister Sheng Guangzu. (Outcomes) (25th Anniversary Fact Sheet)
Gutierrez Announces Nursing Home Residents and P.O. Box Households Eligible to Receive Converter Box Coupons
Washington (Sept. 16)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for mail delivery will be eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The rule change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. “Allowing nursing home residents and households who rely on a post office box for their mail to request coupons helps those most in need to make the switch to digital television,” Gutierrez said. (More)
EDA Presents $2 Million Investment Check to District of Columbia
Washington (Sept. 16)—Economic and Development Administration (EDA) Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Patty Sheetz (far right) presented Mayor Adrian Fenty, U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton and Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee James Oberstar a $2 million EDA investment check to the Government of the District of Columbia. This investment will support restoration and upgrade of the District of Columbia’s historic Eastern Market, which was severely damaged by fire in April 2007. (More)
Gutierrez and Schwab Tour Port of Los Angeles to Highlight Importance of Passing Free Trade Agreement with South Korea
Los Angeles (Sept. 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab toured the Port of Los Angeles on the Angelena II to view port operations, discuss the impact of free trade agreements on port activities, and received a briefing on the economic impact of the port to the U.S. Economy. They are pictured here at a media availability at Bert 84 where the Angelena II docks.
Gutierrez and Schwab Kick Off 25th Anniversary of JCCT in California
Yorba Linda, Calif. (Sept. 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab host Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan at the Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation for the 25th anniversary of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). On a tour of the library, Gutierrez, Schwab and the Vice Premier are pictured along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and library Director Timothy Naftali observe the bronze sculpture of the historic handshake between former U.S. President Nixon and former Chinese Vice Premier Zhou Enlai in 1972. The JCCT meeting Sept. 16, 2008 at the Library will focus on issues of market access, intellectual property and transparency. (Toast at Opening Anniversary Dinner)
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on Third Offer to Cuba for Humanitarian Assistance
Los Angeles (Sept. 15)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement after a third U.S. offer to send humanitarian aid to Cuba was turned down:“On September 13, the U.S. government agreed to offer Cuba humanitarian assistance without the visit of an assessment team. Yesterday the Cuban regime rejected our third offer to provide immediate assistance to those Cubans who are suffering from the devastation of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. (More)