2/7/08
Christened
Beach Co. names new development ‘Cantey Bay Plantation’
By Jerriod Grizzle

Submitted Photo

This aerial photo from the Beach Company highlights their development in yellow as well as pointing out a potential future interchange near Interstate 95.

Vice President of Beach Development Kevin O’Neill announced last week that “Cantey Bay Plantation” is the official name for the future residential community to be located along the shores of Lake Marion near the St. Paul community.

O’Neill is a project manager for the Beach Company who plans to develop a nearly 4,000-acre tract that lies on both sides on both sides of I-95. The property features over two miles of Lake Marion shoreline.

The name was publicly announced for the first time on Jan. 28, at a meeting between executives from the Beach Company and officials with Clarendon County, the town of Summerton and the city of Manning.

“We are thrilled that the name has been well received by the representatives of Summerton, Manning and Clarendon County,” said O’Neill. “There has been a great deal of excitement and anticipation related to this development and it will facilitate a boost in the local economy, providing new job opportunities, new homes and new area amenities and attractions.”

In a prepared statement, company representatives said they felt it would be appropriate to honor these once thriving plantations that have been lost under the lakes by remembering them in the name of the new community. The natural history of the area was also taken into consideration. The name “Cantey Bay was found to be a substantial portion of Lake Marion in the area of the future development.

“A great deal of thought went into this naming process,” said John Darby, President and CEO of The Beach Company. “After much research as well as many focus groups and brainstorming sessions, a name was chosen that reflected the true heritage of the area and spoke to its inherent natural surroundings: “Cantey Bay Plantation.”

The name has local historical significance. A number of plantations once existed in the vicinity of the lake but many of these landmark homes are now submerged under the waters of the Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. A number of historic homes, churches and cemeteries were lost in the creation of the lakes.

“There is a lot of stuff we need to work on but everyone is very excited and we are so thankful that the Beach Company has kept us in the loop,” said Rebecca Rhodes, city administrator for the City of Manning.

Rhodes said that the company is looking to have a development agreement approved sometime this year.

Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart said that the company has laid out a general plan that could to take 10 to 20 years.

“They are just waiting on the housing market. The company has the time to make plans so we will be prepared,” he said.

Stewart said that based on past developments, he is looking for a great boost for growth in the county.
“This is an exciting time for the county,” he said.

The Beach Company acquired the tract of land in 2005 and it is considered to be one of the largest undeveloped properties in the region.

The project is expected to bring a wide range of housing options as well as retail, restaurants and services within the resort-style community. It is expected to be a premier location on the lake and officials with the company said that no detail would be overlooked.