As we step into September, I’m reminded of just how much progress, pride, and partnership continue to shape our City. Each month, I’m grateful to see the vision of Fountain Inn come to life—through the dedication of our staff, the energy of our community, and the growth of opportunities before us.

Celebrating Recognition

We were very proud to receive the Excellence on Main Street Award from Main Street South Carolina for the restoration of the historic Ellison Flour Mill. This recognition highlights not only the creativity of developer Bryan Beal but also the City’s commitment to preserving our history while fueling future growth. It was an honor to welcome Main Street SC leaders to Fountain Inn and to celebrate together at our August City Council meeting.

This year, Fountain Inn Natural Gas (FING) was honored with the SOAR Award from the American Public Gas Association. This award recognizes excellence in system operations, advancement, and reliability. It highlights the commitment of our Natural Gas team to providing safe, reliable service to our customers while continuing to innovate and improve. This achievement reinforces the importance of investing in infrastructure and celebrating the people who keep our essential services running strong.

Our Fountain Inn Fire Department also earned Silver Recognition from Lexipol for excellence in training management. This award is a direct reflection of the discipline, professionalism, and preparation of our firefighters, ensuring they are ready to protect our community to the highest standards.

Progress on Projects

We continue to see strong momentum in our infrastructure and development work as we check projects off our INNvision Plan. We’re also looking ahead to several exciting milestones:

• Infrastructure Progress: Fountain Inn Natural Gas crews have completed all main line replacements for Inn Circle and are now transitioning to individual service line connections, with minimal service interruptions expected over the coming weeks. Public Works have been busy overseeing sewage line replacements across the City.  These upgrades will strengthen reliability for years to come.  

• Hotel Development: A new hotel project is scheduled to break ground before the end of 2025, marking a significant step forward for tourism and economic vitality in Fountain Inn.

• Main Street Streetscape: Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2025/early 2026. This transformative project will extend the beauty of Downtown Fountain Inn to improve pedestrian access, utilities, and the overall look and feel of our City.

• Downtown Parking: A new parking lot is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026, adding convenience for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

• Swamp Rabbit Trail Expansion: The trail will soon wrap around Fountain Inn High School and expand to Heritage Park, further strengthening connectivity and recreation opportunities.

• Old Gas Station Project: Work is progressing on revitalizing the former gas station property at S. Main & Trade Streets, which will bring new life to a long-vacant site and enhance the gateway into our community.

Each of these projects represents our shared investment in Fountain Inn’s future - a future that values progress, accessibility, and community pride.

Community Spirit in Action

August was filled with events that highlight what makes Fountain Inn special. We wrapped up our twelfth Sounds of Summer as we cheered on the Fountain Inn High School Fury during their annual Main Street parade, celebrating the students, educators, and parents who inspire school pride across our City. 

We also celebrated new business ribbon cuttings, welcoming national chains like Wendy's, and locally owned businesses such as Elite Custom Golf Carts, Make and Believe Artists, and Legacy Women’s Health & Wellness.

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for Jeepers Creepers on October 25 from 6:00-9:00 pm with 200 participating jeeps, activities, and live music, Trick or Treating on North Main Street on October 31 from 5:00-8:00 pm, and of course, Christmas INN Our Town in December - an event that grows bigger and brighter each year. These moments are more than celebrations; they are opportunities to strengthen the bonds of community and invite our residents and visitors alike to enjoy the very best of Fountain Inn.

A Shared Future

Every award, every infrastructure improvement, every parade, and every ribbon cutting is part of a larger story - the story of Fountain Inn. It’s the story of growth that honors history, of partnerships that open doors, and of people who pour their hearts into making this City the #BestInnSC. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we’ll continue to build a Fountain Inn that is as strong in spirit as it is in progress. 

Shawn Bell is the City Administrator of Fountain Inn and an ICMA-Credentialed Manager. For more information, go to www.fountaininn.org, call 864-531-0644, or email shawn.bell@fountaininn.org.●