Businesses and Innovation: Key Achievements of the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2023

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo released a statement highlighting the key accomplishments of the Department of Commerce throughout 2023.

" Our commitment to improving American competitiveness has materialized through the efforts of President Biden and his 'Investing in America' agenda," stated Raimondo. "2023 has been a year of significant achievements, thanks to the implementation of transformative initiatives funded by the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. "

Transforming the Semiconductor Industry and Global Connectivity The CHIPS for America program launched two funding opportunities to incentivize production, announced national security guidelines, and outlined a vision for the National Semiconductor Technology Center, receiving over 550 expressions of interest from businesses across the country. In December, the program entered the next phase with the announcement of a preliminary memorandum to incentivize a key national security project in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded over $1.3 billion in grants to bridge the digital divide in communities nationwide and announced Internet for All funding allocations for every state and territory, further advancing the goal of providing high-speed, accessible, and reliable internet services to all Americans.

Economic Innovation and Environmental Resilience The Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs to boost local economies and transform regions into globally competitive innovation centers. Additionally, the finalists for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program, aimed at supporting economically challenged areas through flexible, locally-driven investments, were announced.

In the context of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Secretary Raimondo announced the conclusion of the Clean Economy and Fair Economy pillars, along with the signing of the crucial Supply Chain Agreement. These agreements are essential to addressing 21st-century challenges and strengthening economic engagement in the region.

Investments and Technological Development The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated $1.1 billion for grant and contract projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at enhancing coastal resilience, improving fisheries, restoring habitats, and bolstering key infrastructure.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced the 43 winners of the Capital Readiness program, representing the largest investment in the Department's history to support minority and disadvantaged businesses.

Technology, International Trade, and Security The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office launched the new Semiconductor Technology Pilot Program to expedite patent requests for semiconductor production innovations, a Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program to advance applications related to technologies for achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions, and a Cancer Moonshot Pilot Program to advance applications related to cancer technologies.

Trade specialists at the International Trade Administration (ITA) assisted over 92,000 U.S. companies in exploring global markets for export, facilitating over $170 billion in export revenue and inward investment, supporting 595,000 American jobs.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) introduced significant rules to impose additional restrictions on Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine, updated export controls for advanced semiconductors and semiconductor production equipment to embargoed countries, including the People's Republic of China (PRC), and added a total of 466 entities based in various countries worldwide to the Entity List subject to restrictions. BIS completed a comprehensive survey of the U.S. microelectronics supply chain and announced the launch of a new survey to inform future policy responses to PRC's anti-competitive practices.

Key Investments and Transformative Initiatives The CHIPS for America program served as the catalyst for two production incentive funding opportunities, establishing national security guidelines and presenting a vision for the National Semiconductor Technology Center. With over 550 expressions of interest from businesses nationwide, the program recently announced a crucial phase with a preliminary memorandum to provide incentives for a key national security project in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) allocated over $1.3 billion in grants to bridge the digital divide in communities nationwide, including support for tribal communities. By announcing the Internet for All funding allocations for every state and territory, NTIA is taking significant steps toward the goal of providing reliable and high-speed internet services to all Americans.

Regional Technology Hubs and International Economic Agreements The Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs to boost local economies, transforming regions into globally competitive innovation centers. Concurrently, the list of 22 finalists for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program, a program aimed at reducing economic disparities in the most affected areas, was announced.

In collaboration with partners of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Secretary Raimondo successfully concluded the Clean Economy and Fair Economy pillars, signing the important Supply Chain Agreement. These agreements are crucial to addressing 21st-century challenges and strengthening economic engagement in the region.

Investments for Sustainability and Resilience The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) allocated $1.1 billion in projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments aim to enhance coastal and climate resilience, improve fisheries, restore habitats, and strengthen key infrastructure.

Support for Minority Businesses and Technological Innovations The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced the 43 winners of the Capital Readiness program, representing the largest investment in the Department's history to support minority and disadvantaged businesses.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office launched pilot programs for innovative technologies, including the Semiconductor Technology Pilot Program and the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, demonstrating the department's commitment to technological innovation.

Summary Table Year Key Achievements Involved Companies Major Programs Investments (Billion USD) 2023 Launch of CHIPS for America National semiconductor sector companies CHIPS for America Not available (NA) 2023 $1.3 Billion Allocation by NTIA Internet service providers, telecommunications companies Internet for All, National Spectrum Strategy $1.3 2023 Designation of 31 Regional Tech Hubs by EDA Technology companies, research centers Regional Tech Hubs, Distressed Area Recompete Pilot NA 2023 Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements Conclusions Companies involved in clean economy Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) NA 2023 $1.1 Billion Allocation by NOAA Construction companies, environmental research Coastal resilience projects, fisheries improvement $1.1 2023 Announcement of 43 Capital Readiness Program Winners Minority and disadvantaged businesses Capital Readiness Program NA 2023 NIST's Leadership Role in AI and Security Technology companies, AI developers AI Risk Management Framework, U.S. AI Safety Institute NA 2023 Record Participation in SelectUSA Investment Summit International investors, U.S. companies SelectUSA Investment Summit $55 (client-verified investments) 2023 Launch of Patent and Trademark Office Pilot Programs Technology companies, innovators Semiconductor Technology Pilot, Climate Change Mitigation Pilot, Cancer Moonshot Pilot NA 2023 Assistance to Over 92,000 Companies by ITA U.S. companies interested in export Export assistance and investments $170 (U.S. export revenue and inward investment) 2023 BIS Rules for Restrictions Against Russia Companies involved in international trade Trade rules against Russia NA Note: NA indicates data not available or not specified in the press release.

This table highlights the connection between the achievements of the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2023, the involved companies, key programs, and related investments. The department's efforts have engaged a wide range of sectors and partners, demonstrating a significant commitment to innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic development.

Future Outlook The Department of Commerce looks ahead to 2024 with optimism, aware that the path to transformative change is underway. The successes of 2023 serve as robust foundations for building a leading global economy.

In summary, 2023 has been a year of extraordinary achievements, highlighting the Department of Commerce's steadfast commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This is just the beginning of a transformation that will shape America's future in the 21st century.

Technical Glossary

CHIPS for America: Program aimed at enhancing the semiconductor industry in the United States, with the goal of ensuring national security and economic competitiveness. NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration): National administration for telecommunications and information management, responsible for allocating funds and developing strategies to reduce the digital divide and improve internet access. EDA (Economic Development Administration): Administration for Economic Development, responsible for promoting sustainable economic development through regional investments and initiatives. IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework): Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a strategy to promote economic cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): National administration for oceans and atmosphere, responsible for projects to improve coastal resilience, manage marine resources, and promote environmental sustainability. MBDA (Minority Business Development Agency): Agency for Minority Business Development, dedicated to supporting businesses of ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): National Institute of Standards and Technology, responsible for developing and promoting standards for technology and innovation. SelectUSA Investment Summit: Summit for investments in the United States, an event that facilitates foreign investments in the United States. BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security): Bureau for Industry and Security, responsible for export control and implementation of policies to ensure national security. Entity List: List of entities subject to restrictions or trade bans due to national or international security reasons. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Risk Management Framework: Framework for managing the risk of responsible and reliable use of artificial intelligence. USAISI (U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute): Institute for the Safety of Artificial Intelligence in the United States, focused on safety and trust in advanced use of AI models. Internet for All: Initiative to provide high-speed and accessible internet connectivity to all Americans. Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program: Pilot program for recompetition in economically disadvantaged areas, aimed at stimulating investments and employment. Semiconductor Technology Pilot Program: Pilot program for semiconductor technology, accelerating patent requests for innovations in this sector. Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program: Pilot program for climate change mitigation, accelerating patent requests for technologies with zero greenhouse gas emissions. Cancer Moonshot Pilot Program: Pilot program for the Cancer Moonshot initiative, accelerating patent requests for cancer-related technologies.

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Sources All information is provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and is accessible to the public through official press releases and statements from Secretary Gina Raimondo.

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