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“I've always gravitated toward jobs with purpose,” said Maggie McConnell, “This was really up my alley because it's with the community, for the community.”
McConnell is a lifelong Federalsburg resident, a Town of Federalsburg employee, and the newest face of Federalsburg Better Together. Since beginning the role in May, the 33-year-old has served as a bridge between residents, town hall, and various community organizations.
The role of Place-Based Coordinator was created through the Caroline Human Services Council's FY26 ENOUGH grant. Because Federalsburg qualifies as an ENOUGH-eligible community, the town has access to funding that supports a neighborhood action plan, community engagement, and asset mapping. The Place-Based Coordinator position was built into the most recent grant to ensure someone from Federalsburg Better Together was embedded in the community every day.
Federalsburg and the issues it faces are nothing new to McConnell, whose family has called the town home for generations. McConnell still lives in the house her grandfather built. “If people don't know me, they know my parents or grandparents,” she said. McConnell also works for the Town of Federalsburg in water and sewer, permitting, and code enforcement. She was initially worried that this would create a conflict of interest, but she now sees her municipal role as an advantage. "No one really understands the town until you're in town hall," she said, "I see and hear about community needs every day, and I can help bridge that connection."
“She came as a complete package for us,” said Tammy Duff, Grants Manager for the Caroline Human Services Council, “She has turned into the perfect person for this job because her heart is there.”
McConnell's responsibilities range from attending neighborhood events and listening to residents' concerns to connecting apartment complexes, trailer parks, and neighborhoods that have often felt disconnected from town activities. She said the goal isn't to rebuild Federalsburg, but to reconnect it. “There was a period where the town became complacent...I want everyone to feel included and connected, whether they live downtown, in an apartment complex or just outside town limits,” she said.
And her drive has brought significant results. During an early summer heat wave, McConnell coordinated a community cooling station in just over a day by bringing together multiple organizations to meet an immediate need. She's also leading the "Show Up Federalsburg" passport campaign, which encourages residents to visit several local landmarks and attend community events such as church gatherings, business activities, and fundraisers. Under McConnell’s leadership, Duff said the campaign has greatly exceeded participation expectations.
Duff explained that McConnell’s work in Federalsburg is irreplaceable. "There's always a Federalsburg Better Together presence because Maggie is there,” she said, “She's our home base. She's constantly looking for ways to connect people and keep the momentum going.”
