Officials with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) were updated Wednesday on the potential impacts of federal workforce cuts in the region and the resources available to support affected residents in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., according to a press release.
Proposed reductions to the federal workforce could significantly affect the region, prompting action from local governments, businesses, and philanthropies.
In response, COG is providing key data on the federal workforce and resources for affected workers through its website, as reported by COG.
COG is also working with public, private, and non-profit partners, including the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Greater Washington Partnership, to address the issue, support workers, and explore strategies for diversifying the region’s economy.
While national discussions focus on the locations of federal jobs, COG experts emphasize the importance of using U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) data to track where federal workers live, according to the press release.
This data is crucial for understanding the impact in a region like the DMV, where many workers commute across state lines.
According to ACS, about 400,000 residents in the COG region are federal employees, and an estimated 680,000 federal workers live across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Historically, federal employment in the region has remained stable, bolstered by a strong government contracting industry.
COG tracks key regional economic indicators like unemployment, office occupancy, and gross domestic product to help local leaders respond to changes and their effects on transit, office vacancies, and job training.
COG’s Federal Workforce Resources webpage provides unemployment filing, assistance programs, and events to help displaced workers find new opportunities.
COG Executive Director Clark Mercer said in a press release that the organization’s primary goal is to support those affected by the federal workforce cuts.
“At the Council of Governments, we want to make sure that area leaders, media organizations, and the public have a better understanding of the DMV’s federal footprint as we work together, as one region, to support those who need assistance,” Mercer said. “It’s essential that we operate off the facts since almost 700,000 residents work for the federal government in our tri-state area and will feel the impact of these changes more than any other part of this country.”
Photo Courtesy COG
