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Blog Entries from December 2009

Commerce Department to Kick Off 2010 Census 'Portrait of America' Road Tour in New York City

Submitted on December 30, 2009 - 12:14pm
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Secretary Locke, Director Groves and Meredith Viera, Matt Lauer, Al Roker and AnnCurry from NBC's "Today Show" with 2010 Census NATIONAL vehicle behind. Click for larger image.

Monday, Jan. 4, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will join the Census Bureau in launching the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour, a cross-country, interactive experience designed to educate the public about the importance of participating in the census and mailing back census forms this March. Locke and Census Bureau Director Robert Groves will kick off the national tour in New York City. Meanwhile, 12 regional tours will kick off across the country, including events in Boston and in Los Angeles with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. (More) (Road Trip vehicles) (2010 Census Web site) (Secretary’s blog) (Boston event photo)

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Census Bureau Projects U.S. Population of 308.4 Million on New Year's Day 2010

Submitted on December 29, 2009 - 10:26am
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Image of clock with cartoon of baby with top hat. Click to go to U.S. population clock.

On the eve of the 2010 Census, as the Census Bureau prepares to conduct an actual count of the nation’s population, the bureau projects that on Jan. 1, 2010—three months out from Census Day—the total U.S. population will be 308,400,408. This would represent an increase of 2,606,181, or 0.9 percent, from New Year’s Day 2009. In January 2010, one birth is expected to occur every eight seconds in the United States and one death every 12 seconds. (More) (U.S. Population Clock) (2010 Census)

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The 2009 Holiday Season

Submitted on December 23, 2009 - 5:30pm
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U.S. Department of Commerce Fourteenth Street main entrance with holiday wreaths and bows above doors. Click for larger image.

The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family to reflect and give thanks. At this time of year, the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Census Bureau presents holiday-related facts and figures from its data collection, including the details about mail, retail sales, toys, trees and decorations and much more. The Census Bureau projects the nation’s population at 308 million as we ring in the New Year 2010. Happy Holidays from the U.S. Department of Commerce! (More)

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Census: Texas Gains Most in Population, Last Estimates Before 2010 Census Counts

Submitted on December 23, 2009 - 10:50am
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Map of USA (Department of Commerce). Click for larger map.

Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009 (478,000), followed by California (381,000), North Carolina (134,000), Georgia (131,000) and Florida (114,000), according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. “This is the final set of Census Bureau state population estimates that will be published before the official 2010 Census population counts to be released next December," said Census Bureau Director Robert Groves. "We are focused now on ensuring we get a complete and accurate count in 2010." (More) (2010 Census)

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Under Secretary Blank Locke Statement on November 2009 Personal Income and Outlays

Submitted on December 23, 2009 - 10:24am
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Under Secretary Blank on podium.

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released personal income and outlays data for November 2009. Personal income rose 0.4 percent, real disposable personal income increased 0.2 percent and real personal consumption expenditures advanced 0.2 percent. The saving rate in November was unchanged at 4.7 percent. “Consumer spending continues to expand in the fourth quarter of this year in sharp contrast with the declines a year ago,” said Commerce Department Under Secretary Rebecca Blank. (More) (Release)

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Census: Nationwide Movement of Goods Reached 12.5 Billion Tons in 2007

Submitted on December 22, 2009 - 9:00am
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Census Bureau seal.

Total shipments of goods in the United States accounted for nearly $11.7 trillion in revenue and 12.5 billion tons in 2007, according to new data released jointly by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. That is up from $8.4 trillion and 11.7 billion tons in 2002. These figures come from the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey, conducted every five years as part of the Census Bureau’s 2007 Economic Census. (More)

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Under Secretary Blank Statement on Third Estimate of GDP in the Third Quarter 2009

Submitted on December 22, 2009 - 7:00am
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Portrait of Blank.

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released the third estimate of gross domestic product for the third quarter of 2009. Growth in real GDP was 2.2 percent at an annual rate, revised from the previous estimate of 2.8 percent. “The third-quarter gain marked the start of an economic recovery after a very deep recession,” U.S. Commerce Under Secretary Rebecca Blank said. “Consumer spending, residential construction and imports and exports have all moved from declines into positive growth in the third quarter.” (More) (Release)

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Secretary Locke Announces $15.6 Million Grant to restore St. Louis Port

Submitted on December 18, 2009 - 3:26pm
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Secretary Locke with Commerce seal and flag in background.

File photo

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced a $15.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to reconstruct the St. Louis Municipal Terminal’s South Dock, which was damaged by extensive flooding in 2008. Three local St. Louis businesses served by the port met with Locke and Mayor Francis Slay before a City Hall news conference this morning to discuss the impact of ensuring the continuation of the area’s supply chain of river-related commerce. “Reconstruction of the critically important South Dock saves existing jobs and creates new ones by strengthening local connections to the global marketplace,” Locke said. (More) (Remarks)

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Deputy Secretary Hightower Announces $39.7 Million Investment to Increase Broadband Access in New York

Submitted on December 18, 2009 - 3:22pm
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Hightower, Arcuri and SUNY Cortland president Dr. Erik J. Bitterbaum. Click for larger image.

U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Dennis F. Hightower and New York Congressman Michael Arcuri traveled to The State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland to spotlight a $39.7 million Recovery Act grant that will bring broadband Internet service to communities across the state that lack the technology. The investment will help bridge the technological divide, boost economic development, create jobs and improve education and health care. (More) (Remarks)

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Secretary Locke Announces $25.4 Million Investment to Increase Broadband Access to Maine, Vice President Announces $183 Million in 17 States

Submitted on December 17, 2009 - 6:42pm
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Recovery Act logo

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke delivered remarks at the University of Maine announcing a $25.4 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to help bring high-speed Internet access to underserved communities across the state. The project, and the private investments it will enable, has the potential to connect one-fifth of all Maine households to a high-speed, 21st century Internet backbone. Earlier in the day in Georgia, Vice President Joe Biden also announced an initial $183 million to expand broadband access in 17 states. (More) (Remarks) (VP Biden release)

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