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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on New Residential Construction in March 2011

Submitted on April 19, 2011 - 10:07am
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WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released data on new residential construction in March 2011. Permits for new housing units increased 11.2 percent, significantly exceeding private-sector expectations of a 3.0-percent rise. Housing starts increased 7.2 percent, compared with private-sector expectations of a 10.0-percent rise.

“Despite continued volatility, today’s numbers show welcome growth within the housing market,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “With 230,000 private-sector jobs added in March in industries from manufacturing to education to construction, there are positive signs for widespread growth throughout the economy and a stronger housing market in the coming year.”

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Retail Sales in March 2011

Submitted on April 13, 2011 - 10:11am
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WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for March 2011. Retail sales rose 0.4 percent, slightly below private-sector expectations. Retail and food services sales, excluding autos, were up 0.8 percent, consistent with private-sector expectations. Motor vehicle sales fell 1.7 percent, and sales at gasoline stations jumped 2.6 percent. Sales at gasoline stations comprise about 10 percent of total retail sales.

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on February 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services

Submitted on April 12, 2011 - 10:31am
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement today on the release of the February 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report showed that U.S. exports of goods and services in February 2011 decreased 1.4 percent from January 2011 to $165.1 billion, with record exports of services ($47.2 billion). U.S. imports of goods and services decreased 1.7 percent over this period to $210.9 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to decrease 2.6 percent since January 2011 to reach $45.8 billion in February 2011.

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Under Secretary Blank Attends Ron Brown Dedication

Submitted on April 6, 2011 - 3:12pm
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New York, NY, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - Commerce Department Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca M. Blank attended the dedication for the new United States’ United Nations Mission building in honor of the late U. S. Commerce Department Secretary Ronald H. Brown. Former Secretary Brown lost his life while on a trade mission to Croatia 15 years ago.