Princess Anne Main Street president denies claims of missing grant money as commissioners seek documentation

Commissioners opened a discussion on the town’s relationship with the Princess Anne Main Street organization after staff and the president said the state had contacted the town about reporting on grant dollars.

The town president told commissioners the state had reached out regarding reporting for a roughly $100,000 grant and that the state had been unable to reach the current Main Street operation. The president said the state offered options, including moving Main Street under direct municipal administration or keeping it as a private–public partnership, and asked staff to produce the emails and any related documentation.

Walter Woods, president of Princess Anne Main Street, told the commission his organization has met with the state and the Department of Housing and Community Development representative and denied accusations of missing or misappropriated funds. Woods said Princess Anne Main Street is up to date on filings and told the commission, “All the statements about missing funds or in misappropriated funds, I will tell you that's inaccurate.” He asked commissioners to provide written proof if they believe funds were mishandled and requested that the town execute the required letter of agreement so Main Street can continue to operate.

Commissioners and residents sparred over whether the topic—or specific private emails—had been properly shared with all commissioners before being raised in the work session. The town president said emails would be produced and made public; Main Street’s president said recent state conversations did not indicate any of the reported deficiencies.

The commission did not take formal action on the structure of Main Street at the session; instead staff were directed to produce the relevant emails and records so the issue can be reviewed and, if necessary, addressed at a future meeting.