Newly obtained county records detail how $96,766 in Worcester County infrastructure funding was redirected to a private redevelopment project in downtown Pocomoke City through administrative correspondence, without a public vote of the County Commissioners.
The funding, originally awarded to the Pocomoke City Development Corporation (PCDC), was later used to reimburse work at 153 Market Street, commonly known as the former Newberry building, owned by Davis Strategic Development.
April 2025 Request to Reallocate Funds
On April 7, 2025, Sara Chapman submitted a written request on official PCDC letterhead asking Worcester County to allow the nonprofit to reallocate its previously awarded infrastructure funding to Davis Strategic for work at 153 Market Street.
In the letter, Chapman wrote that PCDC board members had attempted for months to distribute funding for individual homeowner repair projects but were unsuccessful. She stated that more than 20 homeowners declined assistance, with some citing concerns about potential backlash.
“With the reluctance met, PCDC has decided to reallocate the funding, given your permission,” Chapman wrote. “The PCDC would like to formally request that they be allowed to reallocate the previously awarded grant to Davis Strategic so they may complete the interior demolition and roof repairs of downtown property 153 Market Street.”
The correspondence was sent to County Chief Administrative Officer Weston S. Young and copied to Commissioner Caryn Abbott. Chapman signed the request as “Executive Director for the PCDC Board.”
County records do not show that this reallocation request was placed on a commissioners’ meeting agenda or approved through a public vote.
Developer Estimates for the Project
In the days surrounding the April request, Davis Strategic Development obtained multiple estimates for work at 153 Market Street. These included:
- An interior demolition estimate dated April 2, 2025, totaling $45,800.
- A roof replacement estimate dated April 4, 2025, totaling $287,684.
Both estimates identified 153 Market Street, Pocomoke City, as the project location and were addressed to Bret Davis of Davis Strategic.
County Payment Issued
County financial records confirm that a portion of the $96,766 allocation has been paid.
According to a county ledger entry dated September 9, 2025, Worcester County issued Check No. 471644 in the amount of $45,484.31 to Davis Strategic Development LLC for a FY2025 reimbursement request tied to the 153 Market Street project.
The payment was supported by invoices for:
- Interior demolition work,
- Waste disposal services, and
- Architectural and design services.
The amount closely aligns with the demolition estimate submitted earlier in the year.
Remaining Funds Encumbered
In response to a Maryland Public Information Act request, Worcester County Public Information Officer Kim Moses confirmed that while one reimbursement payment has been issued, the remaining balance of the original allocation remains encumbered.
The county indicated that additional funds will be released upon submission and verification of further receipts for completed work. Based on the original allocation amount, approximately $50,000 remains encumbered.
Public Statements and Legal Status of PCDC
On August 25, 2025, the PCDC announced on Facebook that it had dissolved and stated that no grant funds had been received. At the time of that post, county officials confirmed that no payments had yet been issued.
However, records from the Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT) reviewed on December 15, 2025, show that the Pocomoke City Development Corporation remains an active legal entity and has not been formally dissolved with the state. The SDAT listing does not reflect a completed dissolution filing as of that date.
Overlap With Private Business Interest
In a January 2024 Facebook post, Sara Chapman publicly announced plans to open a farmers market in the Newberry Building, writing that “part of the ‘Newberry Building’ will be a farmers market” and stating that she was working with the Davis brothers on the project.
The April 2025 request to reallocate county funds to that project was submitted by Chapman in her official capacity on behalf of PCDC, acting as an officer of the organization.
Background of the Funds
The $96,766 originated from two fiscal years of unused county infrastructure grants that were initially designated for the City of Pocomoke. In September 2024, the Worcester County Commissioners voted to reallocate those funds to the then-newly formed PCDC following a written request from Chapman.
The subsequent administrative redirection of those funds to a private redevelopment project occurred in 2025 without a separate public vote of the commissioners.
Current Status
County records now confirm that:
- The reallocation to Davis Strategic was formally requested in writing by PCDC leadership.
- The decision was handled administratively rather than through a public commissioners’ vote.
- $45,484.31 has been paid to Davis Strategic.
- The remaining balance is encumbered and pending further reimbursement requests.
- PCDC remains an active legal entity, despite publicly stating that it had dissolved.
The funding remains tied to the 153 Market Street redevelopment project more than a year after it was first redirected from its original infrastructure purpose.
