The City of Manning is set to undergo a transformative infrastructure upgrade in early 2025 with a comprehensive drainage improvement project, sewer line replacements, and the highly anticipated arrival of a Lowe’s home improvement store, City Administrator Scott Tanner announced.
The multi-phase drainage project, funded by state and federal grants, aims to address longstanding water management issues affecting several key intersections throughout the city. The city will receive bids for the first phase on Nov. 26, with construction expected to start in the first quarter of 2025. This initial phase, with an estimated cost of $8.5 million, will target intersections at Keitt and Walker Streets, Collins and Boyce Streets, and Gibbons and Mill Streets, areas known to experience frequent flooding during heavy rain. The upgrades will include new drainage pipes and outfalls to improve water flow to nearby swamps, easing pressure on the town’s existing infrastructure.
“We’re addressing trouble areas where drainage has been problematic for years,” Tanner explained, adding that the city has secured funding from the state of South Carolina and FEMA, ensuring no cost to local taxpayers. Future phases will cover additional intersections and require private easements, which the city is currently in the process of securing.
Concurrently, Manning’s downtown area will see a substantial overhaul of its sewer infrastructure. This $10 million project, funded by federal COVID relief funds through the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, will replace sewer lines along Brook, Rigby, Boyce, Keitt, and Lee Streets, among others. Bids for this project are anticipated in January, with construction projected to begin around March or April of 2025. Tanner noted that a traffic and business disruption plan will be implemented to minimize impacts during the project’s three to six-month timeline.
Complementing these upgrades, Lowe’s plans to open a new store in Manning, marking a significant boost to the local economy. The store, set to be built at the site of the former Walmart, is expected to bring new jobs and greater convenience for area residents. Lowe’s engineers are currently preparing site plans for a November review by the Planning Commission, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2025.
“We anticipate a busy year with all these developments,” Tanner said. “While some inconveniences are inevitable, these projects promise long-term benefits for the community in terms of infrastructure resilience and economic growth.”
Residents can hear more about these projects at the next City of Manning Council meeting, scheduled for Nov. 12. Further updates on the progress and timelines will be provided as the plans move forward.
