United States Department of Commerce

United States Department of Commerce
	Seal of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Agency overview
Formed	February 14, 1903
Preceding agency	United States Department of Commerce and Labor;
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Herbert C. Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.
Employees	46,608 (2018)
Annual budget	$9.67 billion (2018)
Agency executives	Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce; Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce;
Website	www.commerce.gov

Flag_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Commerce

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC) is a cabinet department of the United States federal government concerned with promoting economic growth. The department was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903. It was later renamed the Department of Commerce on March 4, 1913, when the labor functions were transferred to the newly created United States Department of Labor.

Mission[edit | edit source]

The primary mission of the Department of Commerce is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. The department works to promote job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities, and workers.

Organization[edit | edit source]

The Department of Commerce is composed of several bureaus and offices, including:

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
Census Bureau
Economic Development Administration (EDA)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA]]
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Key Functions[edit | edit source]

The Department of Commerce has several key functions, including:

**Economic Analysis and Policy**: The BEA provides important economic statistics, including the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States.
**Trade and Investment**: The ITA promotes U.S. exports and ensures fair trade through the enforcement of trade laws and agreements.
**Innovation and Technology**: NIST promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology.
**Environmental Stewardship**: NOAA provides weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to support the nation's environmental stewardship.

History[edit | edit source]

The Department of Commerce was established to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in various aspects of economic policy, trade, and technology development.