Crisfield businesswoman Carolyn Marquis was introduced to Princess Anne Town Commissioners at their June 22 work session, saying she was anxious to rally community groups for input on affordable approaches to putting the town on the map in an economically rewarding way.

"I am really looking forward to this; Princess Anne always had a warm spot with me," Marquis said. "We're going to have a lot of things going on. I will meet with community groups, garden clubs ... about high-impact, low-cost type projects."

She replaces Princess Anne Realtor Ben Alder who after two months has stepped down from the newly created part-time position for apparent business reasons.

The turnover comes as Princess Anne elected officials and business leaders in the revenue-strapped municipality of about 2,300 residents, look to Main Street for new initiatives that could attract and sustain businesses as well as cultural arts, entertainment and tourists.

Marquis takes the helm a year after Princess Anne received a Maryland Main Street designation with a mission to help foster the planned growth of the entire community through the recruitment and retention of businesses, revitalization of the downtown business district, promotion of retail and tourist activities, and improvement of the area's overall visual quality. Main Street Princess Anne partners are the town of Princess Anne, the Chamber of Commerce, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the Somerset County Historical Trust.

The town won a $30,000 grant that will pay an executive director's salary for two consecutive years, said Garland Hayward, vice president of the Town Commissioners.

Marquis was a leading candidate for the Princess Anne job several months ago, and also volunteers with a group of residents working toward a Maryland Main Street designation of the uptown section of Crisfield.

She holds a business degree from the University of Maryland, and, for many years, worked as a system integration project manager for the federal government. She and her husband currently operate a bed and breakfast and an Internet cafe called the Blue Crab Garden Cafe, both in Crisfield.

"As a result of these businesses, she understands the processes to open a business in our area, has developed contacts in Princess Anne, and has the necessary understanding and experience regarding the state's Main Street Program," said Jim Theiss, chairman of Main Street Princess Anne.

The cell phone tour, available in the coming weeks, is one of several initiatives of Main Street Princess Anne committees that focus on design, promotions or economic revitalization.

The tour captures much of the town's more than 300 years of history in 68 audio stories about local people and places, including 40 sites. Stories are tied to the Colonial era, Revolutionary, Civil and World wars, steamboat travel, the arrival of the railroad, the first "talking" picture show, and much more, Theiss said.

Tour narrator is Jeanne du Nord, a novelist living in Princess Anne.

"We hope to attract people to come to Princess Anne," Theiss said. "It is a first-rate tour, and hopefully, award-winning."

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