Close to 25,000 federal jobs disappeared in Maryland in 2025, and Montgomery County's small businesses are absorbing the blow. That's the backdrop for this year's Maryland Buy Local Week, which runs through Monday, July 27, and asks residents to buy at least one locally made or locally grown product each day.
"Federal workforce reductions in 2025 affected close to 25,000 Maryland jobs, and when federal workers lose paychecks, both discretionary and non-discretionary spending drops with them," Amanda Bosland of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) told Montgomery Community Media. "Small businesses feel it first because they operate on thin margins and depend on steady local traffic."
Spending at a local business, Bosland said, keeps someone employed, keeps a storefront open and helps that business survive a hard stretch.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Maryland's Best program organizes Buy Local Week, which started last Friday. The pitch is simple: stop by a farmers market, pick a restaurant that sources local ingredients or grab produce from a neighborhood shop.
Former federal workers turning entrepreneur
Some displaced workers are launching businesses of their own. REDI hosts the Maryland Women's Business Center, which piloted a program called Founders Rising in winter 2025 to help former federal employees start companies in Maryland. The program has drawn more than 170 inquiries and graduated 20 entrepreneurs from its pilot cohort, according to Bosland. She said REDI plans to enroll 30 to 40 participants in a fall 2026 cohort.
Where Bethesda residents can participate
Central Farm Markets launched a new Bethesda Midweek Market on Wednesday, July 15, at 7155 Wisconsin Ave., in the parking lot of the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market. The market is not listed as an official Buy Local Week partner site, but it gives Bethesda residents a walkable option to pick up local produce every Wednesday through November 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Residents can also post photos of local purchases on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #BuyLocalChallenge26 for a chance to win prizes.
Farm Tour this weekend
The Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale opens Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. Farms across the county's 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve will welcome visitors for self-guided tours and direct sales. Montgomery County has 558 farms and 350 horticulture enterprises employing more than 10,000 people, according to Visit Montgomery.
Upcoming community events
- Saturday, July 25, 8:45 p.m. — Bethesda Outdoor Movies: Ocean's 8. Free. 4650 Willow Lane, county parking lot behind the Farm Women's Market.
- Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26 — Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale. Self-guided; free admission.
- Friday, July 31, 8:45 p.m. — Bethesda Outdoor Movies: La La Land. Free. Same location.
- Tuesday, August 4, 6–8 p.m. — National Night Out, Norfolk Avenue between St. Elmo and Del Ray avenues, Bethesda. Free carnival games, live music, food from Olazzo, treats from Max's Ice Cream and Carmen's Italian Ice.
- Friday, August 7, 8:45 p.m. — Bethesda Outdoor Movies: Bring It On. Free. Same location.
