U.S. Department of Commerce

About Commerce The Department of Commerce's mission is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities. The Department of Commerce's mission is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities. Through its 13 bureaus, the Department works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur the growth of quality jobs in all communities across the country. The Department serves as the voice of business in the Federal Government, and at the same time, the Department touches and serves every American every day. The Department fosters the innovation and invention that underpin the U.S. comparative advantage. Its scientists research emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Companies use NIST and NTIA laboratories to conduct research and development (R&D). NOAA advances R&D of the commercial space industry and climate science. USPTO's intellectual property (IP) protections ensure American innovators profit from their work. Strategic Goals Innovation, equity, and resilience. These three concepts drive our work at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and they're crucial to our overarching goal of improving America's competitiveness in the global economy. Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce The Department has one overarching goal: Improve America's Economic Competitiveness. Each of the Department's five strategic goals advances our mission and supports this goal: - Drive U.S. Innovation and Global Competitiveness - Foster Inclusive Capitalism and Equitable Economic Growth - Address the Climate Crisis Through Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience Efforts - Expand Opportunity and Discovery Through Data - Provide 21st Century Service with 21st Century Capabilities HISTORY The Department of Commerce was originally created as the US Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903. It was subsequently renamed the Department of Commerce on March 4, 1913, as the bureaus and agencies specializing in labor were transferred to the new Department of Labor. As the Federal government grew and evolved, other bureaus were transferred to and from the Commerce Department, giving it a rich history and unique role in the Cabinet. What do we expect to accomplish by creating a Department of Commerce? The name of the new Department answers the question. We hope to develop new fields of profitable trade and foster old ones. We hope to facilitate industrial development and promote commerce at home and abroad....We will look to this Department to give direction to the energetic campaign that has for its object the conquest of the markets of the world by American merchants and manufacturers." -- Congressman Charles F. Cochiran, Congressional Record, January 15,1903