The mission of the Department is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity.
The Department of Commerce promotes job creation and economic growth by ensuring fair and reciprocal trade, providing the data necessary to support commerce and constitutional democracy, and fostering innovation by setting standards and conducting foundational research and development. Through our bureaus and 46,608 employees (as of January 31, 2018) located in all 50 states, every U.S. territory, and more than 86 countries, we provide U.S.-based companies and entrepreneurs invaluable tools through programs such as the Decennial Census, the National Weather Service, NOAA Fisheries, and the Foreign Commercial Service. Among many other functions, the Department oversees ocean and coastal navigation, helps negotiate bilateral trade agreements, and enforces laws that ensure a level playing field for American businesses and workers.
Strategic goals
The Department has one overarching goal: Helping the American Economy Grow. Each of the Department's five strategic goals advances our mission and supports this goal:
- Accelerate American Leadership
- Enhance Job Creation
- Strengthen U.S. Economic and National Security
- Fulfill Constitutional Requirements and Support Economic Activity
- Deliver Customer-Centric Service Excellence
Read our 2018–2022 strategic plan
More about Commerce's organization
- Commerce Leadership
- Organizational Chart (PDF)
- Commerce Directives Management Program (DAO and DOO)
- Office of Inspector General
- Budget, Performance and Planning
Portals and partners
Commerce history
- Origins: 1776-1913
- Evolution: 1913-1995
- Secretaries of Commerce
- Commerce Department 100th Anniversary - A Photographic History
- Herbert Clark Hoover Building
Department-wide policies
- Social media and web 2.0 policy
- Digital strategy
- Information quality
- Open source code
- Plain language
- IT policy archive
Policies for this website
Attachment | Size |
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U.S. Department of Commerce 2018-2022 Strategic Plan | 9.41 MB |