The goal is to eliminate maintenance costs associated with underutilized federal spaces.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under President Donald Trump’s administration with Elon Musk at its helm, has embarked on a mission to reduce federal expenditures by identifying and eliminating inefficiencies within government operations. A significant aspect of this initiative involves the termination of numerous federal office leases across the United States, including several in the Harrisburg area.

In early March 2025, DOGE announced the termination of leases for 58 offices under the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), both offices in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This decision aligns with the administration’s goal to curtail agency spending by evaluating savings and exploring opportunities to renegotiate or relocate to more cost-effective locations. Steve Peterson, serving as USDA’s acting deputy undersecretary for farm production and conservation, emphasized the intent to assess potential savings and consider alternative locations to reduce rental expenses.

Specifically, in Central Pennsylvania, the USDA’s state headquarters in Swatara Township and the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) water research site in Fairview Township have been marked for lease termination. Employees at these facilities reportedly learned about the closures through DOGE’s public website.

The financial implications of these lease terminations are significant. For instance, DOGE projects that closing the Rural Housing Service in Swatara Township will save approximately $119,066, while shutting down the Geological Survey office in New Cumberland is expected to save around $454,138. These measures are part of a broader strategy to reduce taxpayer expenses by consolidating underutilized offices and optimizing building capacities.

DOGE’s initiatives to curtail federal spending through lease terminations and property sales in Central Pennsylvania reflect a broader strategy to streamline government operations. The temporary agency, which is set to fold July 4, 2026, claims to have saved $55 billion overall since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.