Fairfax economic forecasts show impact of federal job losses could be worse than Covid

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, the Virginia Mercury

Fairfax economic forecasts show impact of federal job losses could be worse than Covid

By Vernon Miles
Published April 9, 2025 at 2:30PM

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Even without taking into account the global economic havoc being wreaked by new tariffs, the Trump administration’s gutting of the federal workforce could have worse impacts on the D.C. region than Covid, Fairfax County authorities say. ... A 20% reduction in the federal workforce could devastate the economy in Fairfax County, where approximately 80,000 residents — about 13% of the workforce — are employed by the federal government, according to updated data from the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). ... There are also more than 70,000 workers who live elsewhere but commute to Fairfax County for a federal job, including over 45,000 military, civilian and contractor employees stationed at Fort Belvoir.

The presentation, delivered to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at an economic initiatives committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), offered the clearest look yet at the local ramifications of the sweeping federal workforce and funding cuts implemented since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20.

So far, more than 14,000 federal workers have been fired from their jobs, but FCEDA Director of Market Intelligence Stephen Tarditi says that number is likely to rise after a Supreme Court ruling yesterday blocked an order requiring Trump to reinstate 16,000 probationary employees.

Additionally, 86 contractors in Fairfax have had federal contracts canceled — roughly 2.2% of the contractor base.

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Vernon Miles
Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

[underpants]

1. The Commonwealth has $5B in its rainy day fund

NOVA pays a lot of taxes.