Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 7-11. The Investment Summit is the #1 business investment event in the United States and this year, will be a virtual experience to remember. The first-ever virtual Investment Summit is on pace to provide opportunity for more investors from more markets and greater representation from economic developers (EDO)...

Updated December 8, 2020 Every year in the U.S., fire departments respond to an estimated 210 home fires involving Christmas trees. Even though Christmas tree fires are infrequent, when they occur, they can be dangerous and costly. These fires cause an annual average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in property damage. The good news is that by keeping your Christmas...

The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau's Facts for Features The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. More than seven decades later, then-President...

The following is a cross-post from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) The Bureau of Economic Analysis released statistics measuring the outdoor recreation economy for the nation, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. The new U.S. data show that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.1 percent ($459.8 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2019...

Small businesses are essential to our Nation’s communities in creating jobs and giving back during times of prosperity and challenge. This year, small businesses need your support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join the Small Business Administration (SBA) and organizations across the country by shopping at a small business...

Guest blog post by John Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, National Weather Service The National Weather Service (NWS) is proud to employ 1,034 U.S. military veterans -- about a quarter of our total workforce. Veterans bring a wealth of experience and extensive training in many areas to the civilian federal workforce, and we are fortunate to have them in our ranks. As Chief Operating Officer, I am...

Guest blog post by Andrew Fiddes, Attorney Advisor, Disaster Recovery Program, Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Economic Development Administration I am an Attorney-Advisor in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Office of Chief Counsel, where I support the Disaster Recovery Program, including EDA’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance. My...

Guest blog post by Kevin Cooley Director, Office of Planning & Programming for Service Delivery, National Weather Service President Reagan once said, "Some people live their entire lives wondering if they made a difference in the world…but Marines don't have that problem." This sentiment also applies to the dedicated career public servants I have had the honor to work with in government. As a...