Top News
NIST Develops Effective Method for Preserving Therapeutic Protein-Based Drugs
Gaithersburg, Md. (Aug. 21)—Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a fast, inexpensive and effective method for evaluating the sugars pharmaceutical companies use to stabilize protein-drugs for storage at room temperature. Protein-based drugs such as insulin and vaccines must be stabilized after manufacturing in order to be used safely. The new methods will help pharmaceutical companies make the best choice about which formulations to test and make it easier to stabilize drugs at room temperature. (More)
EDA Presents $1 Million Investment Check to City of Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis, N.M. (Aug. 20)—Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs and Communications Matthew Crow and U.S. Representative Tom Udall present a $1 Million EDA investment check to the city of Clovis in Clovis, N.M.. The investment will help build infrastructure improvements to serve the Clovis Industrial Park and is expected to generate $118 million in private investment and create 267 new jobs. Pictured (L-R): Mayor of Clovis, Gayla Brumfield; U.S. Representative Tom Udall; Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs and Communications Matthew Crow. (More)
Commerce Secretary Urges Georgia Residents to Act Now to Prepare for Digital TV Transition
Atlanta (Aug. 20)—Marking six months until the nation switches from analog to digital, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue at an Atlanta Circuit City store to urge consumers to prepare for the digital television transition. The transition requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after Feb. 17, 2009. “I encourage all Georgia residents who may need a converter box to apply for coupons now and redeem them within 90 days,” Gutierrez said. “By taking action now, over-the-air consumers will receive a better TV picture and more channels and will not lose their television service when the transition takes place in just six months.” (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on the Closing of the 2008 Americas Competitiveness Forum
Atlanta (Aug. 19)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin formally handed over next year’s Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) to Chilean Minister of Economy, Development & Reconstruction Hugo Lavados, who will host the forum in Chile in the Fall of 2009. Atlanta has agreed to host the forum in 2010. (More)
U.S. Schools Receive Life-Saving NOAA Public Alert Radios
Washington (Aug. 19)—Federal agencies have begun distributing more than 182,000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Public Alert Radios to preschools, Head Start programs, K-12 nonpublic schools and nonpublic school central offices, K-12 school district offices and post-secondary schools. In two earlier phases, the federal government distributed radios to all 97,000 K-12 public schools across the country, bringing the program to a close this September with life-saving radios in every school in the nation. (More)
Gutierrez: Hemispheric Competitiveness is About Job Creation and Economic Growth
Atlanta (Aug. 18)—At the keynote remarks opening the Second Americas Competitiveness Forum, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez said, "Through competition ... we can create more jobs, we encourage growth and we help our people have better lives. That's what competitiveness is all about. Gutierrez is pictured, from left to right, with President Saca of El Salvador, President Colom of Guatemala, Atlanta Mayor Franklin and President Uribe of Colombia. (Remarks)
Participation by “Over-the-Air” Households in TV Converter Box Coupon Program on Track
Washington (Aug. 18)—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that nearly 6.4 million “over-the-air” TV households, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested about 12 million coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts in six months. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 60 percent of “over-the-air” TV households are potential purchasers of converter boxes. (More)
Gutierrez Opens Second Americas Competitiveness Conference in Atlanta
Atlanta (Aug. 17)—At a reception in Atlanta, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez officially opened the second Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF), co-hosted with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin from Aug. 17-19. More than 20 nations from the Western Hemisphere will be represented at the Forum by high-ranking government officials. The forum will provide an opportunity for governments, the business community, and representatives from academia and non-governmental organizations to discuss actions that can be taken to improve competitiveness and economic prosperity in the Americas. (More on ACF)
EDA Assistant Secretary Joins Congressional Members in Celebrating 10-Year Anniversary of Science and Technology Park
Albuquerque, N.M. (Aug. 15)—U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sandy K. Baruah joined U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and U.S. Representative Heather Wilson in celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Sandia Science & Technology Park. The Sandia Science & Technology Park is dedicated to linking public sector research with private sector business opportunities to accelerate innovation. EDA awarded the Park with its Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2005 and, since 2000, has invested nearly $3 million in the Park. (More)
Gutierrez and Schwab Announce 25th Anniversary Meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade
Washington (Aug. 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced that the 19th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) will be held the week of Sept. 15th, 2008, at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda, California. The JCCT, a high-level government-to-government dialogue, identifies and works to resolve bilateral trade issues to expand trade opportunities. Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer will also participate in this JCCT session. (More)