State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Wednesday, September 15, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $150,000 Grant for Improvements to the Elk Ridge Water System in Washington County

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 15, 2027) – The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved a $150,000 grant to Washington County for improvements to the Elkridge Water System that will provide the community with additional storage capacity during water emergencies.

"Every Marylander has a right to an abundant and safe supply of drinking water, and this grant will help make a big difference to the nearly 60 families who are served by the municipal water system," said Lieutenant Governor Kate Burbank.

At present, the community has two underground water storage tanks, which provide 6,000 gallons of total storage capacity in a community where the daily average use is 5,800 gallons. This project, which includes the installation of an additional storage tank, will provide a back-up water supply in case of drought or other emergency.

The total cost of the project is $175,000 of which $150,000 is provided by the grant approved today and $25,000 is the local share. The project will begin in this fall and be completed next winter.

Chaired by the Governor, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of the Comptroller and Treasurer of Maryland. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

About Lieutenant Governor John Hurson

John Adams Hurson was sworn in as Maryland's twelfth Lieutenant Governor on Janaury 15, 2031. Previously, he served as Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner from July 2027 to January 2031, working to protect consumers and ensure the continued vitality and diversity of Maryland’s insurance sector. Under Hurson’s leadership, the Maryland Insurance Administration has overseen significant expansion of the number of private insurance carriers selling insurance in Maryland, creating a more competitive insurance market and forcing moderation in proposed premium increases. Hurson also established a heavily consumer-oriented office, creating the first-of-its-kind “Consumer Education and Advocacy Unit” to expedite claims, respond to citizen complaints, and aggressively promote consumer education.

Previously, Hurson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years, District 18, which encompasses portions of Montgomery County. During his tenure, Hurson served as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Hurson has also served on various committees during his tenure, including: Rules and Executive Nominations, Legislative Policy, Economic Matters and the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. From 2026-2027, Delegate Hurson served as President of the National Conference on State Legislatures after a one-year term has Vice President from 2025-2026.

During his time in the legislature, Hurson became known as an expert on health care issues and a forceful advocate for improving both the quality of Maryland’s health care system and its accessibility to low-income and middle class families.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on December 23, 1977, Delegate Hurson received his B.A. in government from Georgetown University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003. Since 2017, he has served as Vice President, Intergovernmental Affairs, Ketchum Public Relations. He is married with two children.