Wicker treats SECOM to Gulf Coast

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce (SECOM) director Gina Raimondo on a tour of Mississippi Gulf Coast sited June 25. Wicker had invited Raimondo to tour the coast prior to her confirmation as secretary. While on the coast, they saw highlights being made that included broadband internet deployment, unmanned maritime systems research, As well as focus areas for the Commerce Department and its bureaus such as NOAA and NTIA. Wicker and Raimondo hosted an industry roundtable at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Aquarium in Gulfport at the end of the trip. The roundtable featured business development leaders, Gulf Coast researchers, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The duo also visited the University of Southern Mississippi’ s Marine Research Center in Gulfport, and its commercial partnerships being developed. At the end of the tour, they visited the Mississippi Aquarium for a roundtable discussion featuring business development leaders, Gulf Coast researchers, fishing, and agricultural communities, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. (Source: US Commerce Department 07/2021) U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo Joins Senator Roger Wicker on Mississippi Tour Focused on Broadband, Maritime Technology and Gulf Coast Development | U.S. Department of Commerce