— a time to pause and recognize the people who make the City of Fountain Inn work each and every day.

Local government is built on service. Garbage is picked up, emergencies are answered, parks are programmed, utilities are delivered, and residents are supported — not by buildings or equipment — but by people. Our employees are the foundation of everything we do.

Today, the City of Fountain Inn is powered by 179 dedicated employees. Among them: 8 team members have served our City for more than 20 years, 27 employees have been with us over a decade, and 70 employees have joined us within the last two years.

Those numbers tell a powerful story.

They reflect stability and institutional knowledge — decades of experience guiding decisions and preserving our standards. They also reflect growth, fresh perspective, and new energy as we continue evolving as an organization. Nearly 40% of our workforce is relatively new, meaning we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to shape a workplace culture rooted in support, mentorship, and purpose.

That commitment to our people was recently recognized statewide, as the City of Fountain Inn was named a 2026 South Carolina Top Workplace. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the SC Top Workplaces program, which honors organizations across the state that set the standard for strong workplace culture and employee engagement. The recognition reflects the dedication of our employees and our shared commitment to creating a supportive, purpose-driven work environment.

Employees are the foundation of everything we accomplish — from public safety and infrastructure to parks, customer service, and daily operations. Policies do not serve residents. Equipment does not solve problems. Buildings do not create progress. People do.

A “people first” culture means:

• Listening with intention

• Communicating transparently

• Recognizing effort and excellence

• Investing in professional growth

• Supporting work-life balance

• Creating an environment where employees feel respected and valued

Research consistently shows engaged employees are more productive, more innovative, and more committed to service excellence. Beyond statistics, appreciation is about something simpler — recognizing behind every uniform, badge, hard hat, and desk stands a person choosing to serve this community.

As we move forward, we will continue building an organizational culture reflecting our core belief: when we take care of our employees, they are better equipped to take care of our community.

This month, I encourage you to thank an employee — not only those serving at the City of Fountain Inn, but also individuals working in local businesses and organizations supporting our community every day and helping create the quality of life we all enjoy.

 Shawn Bell
City Administrator
City of Fountain Inn

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