ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today joined a roundtable with workforce development service providers to discuss the impacts of the federal government shutdown—now entering its fourth week. The discussion was hosted at the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center in Montgomery County, a first-in-the-nation career center created exclusively to address the employment needs of displaced federal workers and contractors.
“The fact that Maryland is the first state in the country to stand up an emergency action center like this one is a point of pride. But it shouldn’t be a surprise,” said Gov. Moore. “When our people are in trouble, we step up. Even if the federal government isn’t willing to do their job, we will do our job. I want to say to all of our federal workers, loudly and clearly: We’ve got your back.”
The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center opened this month and is centrally located in Montgomery County, where tens of thousands of residents work for the federal government. While Maryland’s American Job Centers actively address employment needs in more than 30 locations across the state, the Federal Workforce Career Center provides complementary resources and dedicates personalized services to help federal workers, whose highly specialized areas of expertise often require a unique approach to the job search process.
“Federal workers are in urgent need of support. This center shows how quick collaboration across state and local partners can help us meet these workers where they are,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Maryland is showing the nation what it means to step up for our public servants—to connect them with job opportunities, guidance, and encouragement tailored to their skills, talents, and needs.”
The federal government is the largest employer in the State of Maryland. Prior to this year’s federal workforce cuts, 269,000 Maryland residents were employed by the federal government and more than 160,000 federal civilian jobs were located in Maryland. Since the Trump Administration has taken office, Maryland has lost more than 15,000 federal jobs—the largest number in the nation. Past government shutdowns have had direct repercussions in Maryland, with President Trump’s partial shutdown in 2018-2019 costing thousands of Marylanders $778 million in wages.
“The Trump Administration is weaponizing this shameful government shutdown of their own making—continuing their cruel attacks on our federal employees and depriving all Americans of the vital public services they provide,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “The American public and our dedicated federal civil servants are struggling through no fault of their own. As we fight to restore government funding with a responsible agreement that holds the president accountable to the law and prevents massive spikes in Americans’ health care costs, Team Maryland is committed to supporting all those impacted by Republicans’ shutdown. I’m grateful to FWCC for the work they are doing to help Maryland families during this difficult time.”
“Donald Trump has ordered Republicans to keep our government shut down so he can prevent Americans from accessing affordable health care and so he can fire as many patriotic civil servants as possible. It’s an absolute disgrace,” said U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks. “Senator Van Hollen and I have voted eight times to reopen the government and extend critical tax credits that families rely on to afford health care. Republicans have voted against it all eight times. Team Maryland will keep fighting to reopen this government and stand up to this cruel and callous administration.”
“The people of Montgomery County who answered the call to public service deserve our thanks, not the designated trauma and RIFs brought by Trump and DOGE,” said U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin. “I’m grateful for the partnership of elected officials at the local, county, state and federal levels who are stepping up to connect these devoted federal workers with opportunities to serve our community in new ways.”
“The governor’s leadership in supporting workforce development like the Federal Workforce Career Center in Wheaton is exactly what Maryland needs right now,” said U.S. Congressman Glenn Ivey. “Across the D.C. region, from Prince George’s County to Montgomery County and beyond, thousands of federal workers have been fired, RIF’d, or furloughed through no fault of their own. We need to make sure they have the resources, retraining, and respect they deserve to get back on their feet and continue serving our communities. Joining Governor Moore today in championing our civil servants was an important step in the right direction for them and for our local economy.”
“I am incredibly impressed by the Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center, and their staff’s tireless effort to help those federal workers and contractors who have been let go or furloughed find new career opportunities,” said U.S. Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. “These public servants have given so much to our country and they deserve to be acknowledged and supported during this time of transition—particularly in the face of the administration’s lawless and senseless RIFs and budget cuts. Thanks to Governor Moore and the people of Montgomery County for addressing this critical need and having the back of our federal workers because In Maryland, we don’t leave anyone behind.”
“I appreciate Governor Moore's efforts on behalf of Maryland workers and for listening to the concerns directly from those impacted—this is what leadership looks like,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center is the first facility of its kind in the nation, created to support the thousands of federal employees and contractors whose lives have been upended by the Trump Administration’s shutdown and layoffs. I want to thank Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller for their partnership during this difficult time. Their collaboration with our county made it possible to stand up this center quickly and ensure that our residents have a place to turn for help, retraining, and hope.”
Located within the Wheaton American Job Center at 11510 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton, MD, the Federal Workforce Career Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jobseekers who are interested in the center’s services should visit the Mobilize Montgomery website at mobilize-montgomery.com/fwcc. While walk-ins are accepted, the center recommends making an appointment to visit the center.
Jobseekers who need help or have questions are encouraged to email [email protected] or call 240-283-1509.
As the shutdown continues, Maryland will continue to offer a broad range of supports for federal employees and other workers impacted by federal actions, such as:
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Support in finding a new job through 33 American Job Centers and a specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center, including individualized career guidance, résumé workshops, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, and networking support;
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Additional career resources, such as information on transitioning to a teaching career;
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A weekly virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees and federal contractors, and attended by more than 1,700 workers to date;
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Job fairs and recruitment events;
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Unemployment insurance;
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Resources for veterans;
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Legal resources; and
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Resources related to health coverage, housing, and food, cash, and other assistance.
The Moore-Miller Administration is also working to ensure that major federal programs—including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and veterans’ services—can continue to operate to the maximum extent possible for Marylanders despite the extreme disruption and uncertainty at the federal level during this shutdown.
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