Archive for February, 2021

2020 was a difficult year, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commerce Department continued to provide American businesses and workers with the resources they need during this time. Take a look at some of the wonderful accomplishments we made across the Department: Census - 2020: A Year in ReviewWorking in new circumstances for many, and facing unforeseen obstacles, we displayed the agility necessary for any organization to thrive in the face of change. This spectacular work was not limited to the ... Read more

U.S. Census Bureau Graphic on Educational Attainment of the Black and Total Populations by Age. The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and ... Read more

NOAA [has]... released its Blue Economy Strategic Plan for 2021-2025, laying out a roadmap for new ways to advance America’s Blue Economy and enhance a global ocean economy expected to double in value to $3 trillion over the next decade. NOAA’s data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy touch all aspects of American life. Approximately 127 million people, or 40% of the U.S. population, live in coastal counties. In 2018, the American blue economy supported 2.3 million jobs and contributed ... Read more

In the Sept. 18, 2020, session of the “National Conversation with Manufacturers,” our three West Coast manufacturing leaders on the panel kept coming back to their critical need for skilled workers. The conversation was one in a series of 11 virtual listening sessions hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP). The purpose of the listening sessions was learning how small and medium-sized manufacturers across the country have been handling the near-term jolt from the ... Read more

Two subjects that came up that I wasn’t expecting (but probably should have been) in a conversation with manufacturing executives were daycare and entrepreneurship.   While their other observations hit upon topics you would expect to come up during a pandemic, such as concern for the health of their workers, the need for enhanced safety measures, the communication challenges that arise when administrative staff work remotely, and an intent focus on cash management, the executives’ most impassioned concerns were about daycare and ... Read more

Manufacturing robotics is to some extent following a similar path of advances to those in machining and fixed automation systems. Though the ROI is most easily measured in efficiency and cost savings, manufacturers are looking for robotic technology to help them resolve a pain point in their operation or to create new opportunities. It might be to link processes more efficiently or eliminate the need to outsource a specific function or two. The growth path for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) with ... Read more

PA MEP serves small and medium sized manufacturers in the state by enhancing their productivity and technological performance to create a positive and enduring economic impact in their communities and in Pennsylvania. Small and medium-sized manufacturing companies represent 12% of the total gross state product. According to the U.S. Policy Institute, Pennsylvania ranks 5th in the nation among all the states in manufacturing employment. Manufacturing businesses provide over 578,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, representing approximately one out of every 11 jobs in ... Read more

Monday, February 1, 2021 This February, MBDA honors Black History Month as the annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, his intent was to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis within the Black community—and every year MBDA is proud to uphold the tradition of celebrating greatness for what is now Black History Month. This month we celebrate Black ... Read more

Downtown BOOST Program: Presented by Fearless will support the long-term success of five creative, Black-owned Baltimore businesses in Downtown Baltimore storefronts. Scroll down to learn more about the program and how to apply. BOOST OVERVIEW Seeking entrepreneurs that… Present a strong business plan—Applicants should demonstrate in their application they can successfully execute their concept, as evidenced by financial performance, employment levels, and capital reserves. Create a broad community impact—Priority will be given to businesses that seek to cross-pollinate with other businesses Downtown and provide ... Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACTSydney Burns(443) 610-5862 sydney.burns@baltimorecity.gov BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, February 3, 2021) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that another $3.9 million will be available to provide grants to restaurants and taverns in Baltimore City.  This funding is made available by the State of Maryland to help offset COVID-related expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by restaurants and taverns.  The grants will be administered by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). Unlike the previous round of restaurant funding, bars and taverns are also eligible for these ... Read more