Commerce Blog
January 8, 2014
Guest blog post by Josh Dickson, Director, Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
“This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America…It will not be a short or easy struggle, no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we shall not rest until that war is won.” – President Lyndon B. Johnson, State of the Union, January 8, 1964."
Today marks the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s declaration of the War on Poverty. The effort, which consisted of anti-poverty programs aimed at improving education and healthcare access, feeding the hungry, and ensuring a livelihood for our seniors, was an important step in both our country’s awareness of and commitment to fighting the hurdles, hardships and lack of opportunity faced by people living below the poverty line.
> Read more
January 2014 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
As we look forward to a prosperous 2014, we should all be encouraged by the continued strengthening of our national economy.
In 2013, U.S. businesses created 2 million jobs, bringing the total of jobs created in the last four years to 8 million. Our economy is growing at a stronger pace. The unemployment rate has steadily fallen to its lowest point in five years. Importantly, our fiscal situation is firmer, with deficits that are now less than half of what they were when President Obama took office.
> Read more
January 2014 Newsletter
Doug O'Brien, J.D., LL.M., grew up on a diversified farm in Iowa and has dedicated his career to agriculture and rural policy. He was appointed Acting Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development on May 6, 2013. His team partners with rural communities on housing, community facilities, utilities, and other services that increase residents' economic opportunities and improve their quality of life. Rural Development also provides technical assistance and financial backing for businesses and cooperatives that create quality jobs in rural areas.
> Read more
January 2014 Newsletter
An EDA investment is helping a Scottsdale, Arizona startup accelerator move cutting edge technologies from the lab to the marketplace. The Arizona Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator (Furnace) has launched a number of innovative companies and attracted international attention.
> Read more
January 2014 Newsletter
When companies first try to decide where to locate new facilities and create hundreds of jobs, executives often weigh a number of factors: will they have access to a workforce with specialized skills? Can they partner with regional universities on advanced research? Are there local networks of parts suppliers available? What kind of infrastructure exists so companies can ship their products all over the world?
> Read more
