Office of Management and Budget

U.S. Department of Commerce


www.doc.gov
Budget site:  http://www.osec.doc.gov/bmi/budget/

  • 2010 Budget:  $13.8 billion
  • Enacted 2009:  $9.3 billion

The President’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget provides Commerce with the tools to meet its mission of fostering innovation and competitiveness at home and within the context of a global economy.  In addition, Commerce has responsibility for the 2010 Decennial Census; weather forecasts and severe storm warnings; and stewardship of marine resources.  The budget provides the Census Bureau with $7.4 billion, including $6.9 billion to conduct the 2010 Decennial Census, in addition to funds provided through the Recovery Act.  The budget will increase funding for weather satellites, begin development of a new satellite altimetry mission (Jason-3) to measure global sea-level rise, and support related research on climate change.  Investments in American competitiveness range from support for the Technology Innovation Program and the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership to funding for regional economic development and entrepreneurialism in distressed areas.  The budget also supports the International Trade Administration's efforts to promote exports from small businesses, help enforce trade agreements with other nations, eliminate barriers to sales of U.S. products, and improve the competitiveness of U.S. firms.  The budget provides the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office full access to its fees to improve its efficiency and safeguard intellectual property.

NEW MARKETS FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS

  • Promotes opportunities for American exporters in new markets.  The budget fully supports the International Trade Administration's efforts to promote exports from small businesses, help to enforce trade agreements with other nations, eliminate barriers to sales of U.S. products, and improve the competitiveness of U.S. firms. 

COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION

  • Invests in America's Competitiveness.  The Administration funds advanced measurement and standards development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support the nation’s technology infrastructure.  The budget also provides $70 million for the Technology Innovation Program, which invests in high-impact research that will address critical national needs and advance innovation, and supports the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership at $125 million to enhance the competitiveness of the Nation's manufacturers and to facilitate the adoption of more efficient manufacturing processes, including use of energy-saving and clean technologies.
  • Spurs regional economic development.  The budget provides $50 million for regional planning and matching grants to support the creation of regional innovation clusters that leverage regions' existing competitive strengths to boost job creation and economic growth. 
  • Facilitates the creation of new businesses in distressed areas.  The budget launches a $50 million initiative that will create a nationwide network of public-private business incubators to encourage entrepreneurial activity in economically distressed areas.
  • Promotes innovation.  The budget provides resources to strengthen the U.S. Patents and Trademark Office’s ability to support innovation and safeguard the value of intellectual property through increased patent and trademark examinations.  

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT

  • Improves weather forecasting and global climate monitoring.  The budget provides more than $1.3 billion to develop and sustain vital weather satellites in order to enhance continuing of satellite coverage needed for weather forecasting and climate data records. 
  • Protects oceans and manages natural resources.  The budget fully supports implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and its requirement to eliminate overfishing by 2011.  The budget also advances climate research, including efforts to understand and monitor ocean acidification.