Quality of Life
We've kept a focus on what makes Fountain Inn, Fountain Inn - our quality of life.
Major park upgrades, stellar special events, community service projects, and support for our historic and cultural sites - we've moved the needle in each of these, and more.
On the Record
Quality of life is the "secret ingredient" for a great community, and we've got it by the truckload here in Fountain Inn. You cannot overlook the importance of quality of life in government operations - you have to invest in your community. Here's how we've put this into action over the last four years:
Sanctified Hill Park Renovations
We've put $3 million into overhauling one of our most overlooked and neglected parks, Sanctified Hill Park. Opened in May of 2023, this total facelift included picnic shelters, a walking trail, playgrounds, new basketball courts, more parking, and street lighting. We worked with our state representative, Rep. Mark Willis, to secure state funding to help cover nearly the full cost of this upgrade as well, saving our citizens millions.Parks Master Plan
Each of our parks need some work. To help us prioritize these needs, we're currently working on a Parks Master Plan which will allow the public to help us put those needs in order and get us working on the future of our parks and recreation programs.Park Upgrades
We've also tackled a few smaller but necessary upgrades over the last four years including:New bathroom facility at Emanuel Sullivan Sports Complex specifically for our Miracle League field and players
New basketball court for Fairview Street & Georgia Street parks.
Splash Pad landscaping upgrades.
Historic & Cultural Amenities
It's vital for a community to support efforts to capture and showcase its history and its culture. We have continued to help support our Fountain Inn History Museum, the Younts Center for Performing Arts, as well as helping others such as Fountain Inn First Presbyterian with a historical marker, the Chapman Foundation with their Pynkalicious Breast Cancer Awareness event, Fountain Inn High School on numerous fronts, and others with their efforts to memorialize parts of our history, showcase local and regional talent, and put on community events.Litter Control
Litter control has been one major push over the last four years. We worked with every city in Laurens County, and County Council, to help create Keep Laurens County Beautiful and push for a county-wide clean up effort throughout the year. I have the pleasure of serving as the founding Board Chair of this organization. We've continued to host our city-wide community clean up day, and we've worked with local groups such as FI High School on various community clean up projects.
What's Next:
Revamped H-Tax Grants for Local Nonprofits
Hospitality Tax revenue is restricted by state law to only support efforts that increase tourism or help beautify communities. Over the years we've had a habit of granting these funds through subjective means. We'll be rolling out an updated methodology for H-Tax grants that make decisions more objective and transparent, but still support the wonderful work of our local nonprofits that help make our community more vibrant and attractive.Employee Paid Volunteer Time
Our employees already give much of their time beyond business hours to our community. It's time we provided them with a tool they can use to do so without sacrificing time with their families, and continue to make community service a part of City Hall's DNA. Providing employees with 10-12 hours of paid time off for volunteering with area nonprofits can help get our staff out into the community and strengthen relationships between those community leaders and city administration.New Parks
Our Recreation Department is wonderful - so wonderful that it needs a lot more elbow room to meet current demand, and future demand. Over the next four years, we'll look at landmark park investments that increase not only the space for current sports offerings, but allow us to think about new programs.Swamp Rabbit Trail
I hear about the Swamp Rabbit Trail almost weekly from residents. We've got some plans already underway to help get Fountain Inn connected to surrounding communities, and we'll see these come to fruition in the next 2-3 years.Special Events
We will continue to produce high quality special events and programs as not only drivers of tourism and economic development, but also prioritize how to use these events to strengthen bonds between neighbors.Citizens' Shared Experiences
A phrase coined during one of our City Council Retreats, we must always be thinking about the "shared experiences" that make our community what it is. Sometimes those experiences are not positive, and they need to be worked on. Other times, they are what make us the best community around - our Christmas festival, summer concerts, Main Street's historic look, etc. Over the next four years, we'll focus in on this critical question - "What is the citizen's experience and how can we improve it?"