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This site contains information from January 2009-December 2014. Click HERE to go the CURRENT commerce.gov website.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page will be periodically updated and expanded. If your question is not answered below, you may submit it here, or suggest questions you think may be useful to others.  The Department of Commerce welcomes your questions and suggestions.
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Department of Commerce Bureaus and Agencies
What are the different divisions of the Department of Commerce, and what do they do? (links are to bureau "About Us" Web pages and Twitter 'handles' provided)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Department of Commerce do?

What is the mission and organization of the Department of Commerce and its tasks?

Who are the Department's Secretaries, and what about the the architecture of the Herbert Hoover Building?

Is the National Aquarium located in the Department of Commerce?

Are there Department of Commerce locations near where I live?
 

Overview of the Department of Commerce
What does the Department of Commerce do?

Economic Data and Statistics
Where can I find economic statistics and reports?
Where can I find useful information about the social, political and economic organization of the United States?

Business Resources
Where can I find Commerce resources to help in growing my business?

Minority Business Opportunities 
Where can I find information on minority and small business development?

International Trade
I have questions about international trade--where can I go?

Weather 
Where can I find information about national and international weather alerts, forecasts and observations?

2010 Census
Where can I find information about the 2010 Census?

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Where can I find information about Commerce and the Recovery Act?  Where can I find information about the entire U.S. government's Recovery Act efforts?

Gulf Coast Contracting
Where can I find information on Gulf Coast opportunities? Does the Department of Commerce award contracts?

U.S. Population Statistics
Where can I find information about the population of the United States and the individual states and territories?

Time and Standards
How can I find the correct time in different time zones?

Careers in Commerce
How do I prepare for a career in the Department of Commerce and what are the job opportunities?

Faith-Based Community Initiatives
How does the Department of Commerce participate in President Obama's Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiatives?