State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Friday, January 19, 2029

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $43 Million Investment, 80 New Jobs for Allegany County

MIDLAND, MD (January 19, 2029) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank announced today the location of Sekisui S-LEC America, LLC near Midland in Allegany County. The Japanese company, which manufactures interlayer film and sound acoustic film for automotive glass use, will create 80 new jobs and invest more than $43 million in Maryland.

“This new location represents a tremendous investment in both the community and the people of Allegany County,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “I welcome Sekisui S-LEC America to Maryland and look forward to working with them as they grow and prosper in our state.”

Sekisui S-LEC America will construct a new facility located on 23 acres. The facility’s production capacity will be approximately 6 million automobile units per year and is expected to be operational by fall 2030.

“We are delighted to be locating our new facility in Allegany County, Maryland, a community with good accessibility and labor availability,” Sekisui officials involved in the project commented. “The enthusiasm shown and wholehearted support given by the state and community to this project is overwhelming and we look forward to a long and successful future here.”

“I want to thank everyone at Sekisui, the Department of Business and Economic Development and all those involved locally in bringing this company to Allegany County,” said Dale Lewis, President of the Allegany County Board of Commissioners. “We are honored to have been chosen as Sekisui’s first interlayer/acoustic film manufacturing site in North America.”

Sekisui S-LEC America is a subsidiary of Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd, established in 1947, in Osaka, Japan and employer of more than 17,000 people worldwide.

Governor Edward M. O’Brien approved a $500,000 grant from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund to assist Allegany County with site preparation. The Department of Business and Economic Development, the Western Maryland Economic Development Partnership and Allegany County assisted Sekisui S-LEC America, LLC with its decision. DBED will provide workforce training services.

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.