In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce unveiled its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to bolster America’s economic competitiveness through innovation, resilience, and equity. This strategic document aims to guide federal policy and departmental priorities over a five-year period, emphasizing inclusive economic growth, strengthened industry investment, and community upliftment.
The plan is built around five strategic goals intended to modernize the nation’s economic landscape and empower its workforce while remaining responsive to emerging global challenges. At the core of the strategy lies a renewed focus on advancing equity, rebuilding domestic supply chains, tackling climate change, and embracing data-driven governance.
Strategic Goals Driving National Progress
The Department of Commerce structured the plan around five interconnected strategic goals designed to fortify the nation’s long-term economic future:
- Drive U.S. Innovation and Global Competitiveness: This goal prioritizes revitalizing American manufacturing and industrial strength, particularly through investment in high-growth industries such as semiconductors, biotechnology, and clean energy. It includes efforts to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains by expanding domestic production capacity.
- Foster Inclusive Capitalism and Equitable Economic Growth: This pillar focuses on ensuring that economic growth benefits all Americans. Emphasis is placed on reaching historically underserved communities, bridging the digital divide, and supporting minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Address the Climate Crisis Through Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience Efforts: The Commerce Department aims to integrate environmental sustainability into economic planning. This involves supporting green infrastructure, reducing emissions through technology investment, and preparing communities for climate-related disruptions.
- Expand Opportunity and Discovery Through Data: With the explosion of data across sectors, the Department underscores the need for accurate, transparent, and accessible data to inform policy and empower decision-makers. The U.S. Census Bureau and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will play central roles in this effort.
- Provide 21st Century Service with 21st Century Capabilities: To deliver more effective government service, this goal addresses modernization of internal systems, digital transformation, and human capital investment within the Department itself.
Empowering Underserved Communities
A defining feature of the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan is its firm commitment to economic equity. The plan calls for increased engagement with tribal nations, rural areas, and communities of color. Through programs such as the Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan funding and broadband expansion via the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Department intends to create new pathways for inclusive growth.
These investments aim to lower barriers to entrepreneurship, expand workforce training opportunities, and improve access to critical infrastructure and digital services. By doing so, the Department hopes to reverse decades of underinvestment in marginalized regions and populations.
Investing in Critical Industries
To enhance America’s global competitiveness, the strategic plan includes provisions for unprecedented investment in vital sectors. Chief among these are:
- Semiconductors: Funding research, development, and domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
- Clean Energy: Supporting technologies such as carbon capture, solar energy, and electric vehicles to spur job growth and reduce emissions.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Encouraging innovation in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to keep American industry on the cutting edge.
The Department will coordinate with agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the International Trade Administration to provide guidance, regulatory clarity, and international trade support for these industries.
Climate and Resilience in Economic Policy
Recognizing the intersection of climate and economic stability, the strategic plan embeds climate resilience into its framework. Key strategies include climate risk modeling, funding for coastal and flood-prone areas, and partnerships with the private sector to advance environmental technologies.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a key agency within the Department, will expand its predictive capabilities to better inform climate preparedness at all levels of government and industry.
A Learning Agenda and Measurable Outcomes
The Department of Commerce has integrated a “learning agenda” into the plan, a set of evaluation criteria and research questions designed to assess policy effectiveness and guide future decision-making. This ensures that programs remain flexible and are continually refined based on performance data and stakeholder feedback.
Measurable outcomes are tied to each of the five strategic goals. For instance, under equity and inclusion metrics, the Department aims to track the number of minority-owned businesses supported, broadband adoption rates in rural areas, and the success rate of community development grants.
Relevance for the American Public
For the American public, the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan carries direct implications. Workers may benefit from expanded job training and placement programs, especially in tech-focused industries. Small businesses could see increased funding access and reduced regulatory friction. Students and researchers may find new opportunities in federally funded innovation hubs.
Additionally, the plan’s focus on broadband access, particularly in rural and tribal regions, means more communities could soon experience better connectivity, opening up remote work and telehealth possibilities.
Looking Forward
With implementation underway, the Department of Commerce has positioned itself as a central player in shaping the future of the U.S. economy. Its five-year strategy is not merely a policy document but a blueprint for equitable prosperity.
As Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated during the plan’s launch in March 2022, “This strategic plan sets a bold path forward for harnessing America’s full potential. It is rooted in the belief that innovation, inclusion, and resilience are the keys to building a better, stronger economy for everyone.”
The success of the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan will ultimately be measured by its ability to translate vision into impact, ensuring that America’s next chapter is one of shared progress and global leadership.
