Fountain Inn Welcomes Jason Knudsen as Planning and Development Director
December 19, 2023
The City of Fountain Inn is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Knudsen as its first Planning and Development Director. With a proven track record in planning and economic development, Knudsen brings over a decade of experience to his new role.
Knudsen brings a robust educational background to his role. Holding a Master of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University, Knudsen is well-versed in the intricacies of urban development and regional planning. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. This educational foundation equips Knudsen with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in city planning.
In his most recent position as Planning & Economic Development Director at the City of Simpsonville, SC, Knudsen played a pivotal role in steering the city’s growth and development. Over the past eleven years, he has been instrumental in comprehensive planning initiatives, citizen engagement, ordinance writing, project management, annexation and rezoning. His strategic leadership has been evident in the creation and implementation of development agreements for a historic mill site and a historic building downtown. Additionally, he facilitated the construction of 13 homes by Habitat for Humanity and the County Redevelopment Authority on city-donated land.
Throughout his tenure, Knudsen has overseen a variety of initiatives, including the condemnation and removal of uninhabitable structures, the creation and implementation of GIS mapping for the city, and the completion of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. His skills extend to facilitating the building of a new municipal complex and park redevelopment, as well as writing ordinances related to annexation, rezoning, and plan updates.
Knudsen’s commitment to efficiency is evident in his successful implementation of digital permitting software, creating a paperless process that reduces review and permitting times. This innovation allows applicants to obtain all necessary permits and licenses without visiting city hall.
Knudsen’s first day on the job with the City of Fountain Inn was December 11, 2023. In Fountain Inn, he will be tasked with the implementation of the City’s new comprehensive plan (INNvision) and with facilitating an overhaul of the City’s zoning and land development regulations.
