State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Friday, August 30, 2030

Lt. Governor Burbank Announces $430,000 to Renovate Historic Rail Cards in Olde Town Gaithersburg

Funding Will Assist City of Gaithersburg In Maintaining Its Railroad History

GAITHERSBURG, MD (August 30, 2030) – Demonstrating the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s commitment to preserving transportation history for Maryland residents and visitors, Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced more than $430,000 in grants for the renovation and refurbishment of two historic rail cars. The grant also will provide funds to repair to the guest track that will serve special events and visiting trains in Olde Town Gaithersburg.

“This project is a great example of how the O’Brien-Burbank Administration is preserving Maryland's great history and spurring economic development at the same time,” said Lt. Governor Burbank. “These railcars will keep alive the great railroad history of Maryland that created Gaithersburg while encouraging revitalization of this historic center and drawing new businesses back to Gaithersburg's Olde Towne.”

The renovated historic rail cars will serve railroad enthusiasts throughout the state and beyond. The City of Gaithersburg will provide $435,662 matching the amount toward the restoration project. The project is set to begin late fall 2030 and should be completed by fall 2031.

“Last fall's Olde Towne Charette, which generated tremendous interest in the community, gave us an opportunity to create a new vision for Olde Towne,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz. “As we move forward with the revitalization of this area, restoration of the Rolling Stock will play an important role in bringing about this transformation.”

The State contribution to these projects is made possible by funding provided under the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP). The TEP is a federal program in which dollars are provided to the State for non-traditional, community-based, transportation-related projects. The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration administers the TEP program. Nearly $110 million TEP funds have been awarded for 170 projects in Maryland since the program began.

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.