News Summary
Carolina Forest plans a $20 million county office complex to improve community services, but legal disputes over payments have delayed the project. The grand opening, initially set for spring 2024, has now been pushed to fall 2024. Subcontractors allege unpaid dues totaling nearly $1 million, creating uncertainty over the project’s future. Horry County officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Carolina Forest’s Big Office Dream Hits a Bumpy Road
Carolina Forest, a growing hub for business and community services in Horry County, is gearing up for an exciting new addition—a shiny new county office complex worth a whopping $20 million. But, just like a good plot twist in a mystery novel, the journey to completion has met with some unexpected challenges.
Groundbreaking Ceremony in the Anticipation of Progress
The Horry County officials had high hopes when they broke ground on this ambitious project, which was set to house Horry County Police and several county offices. The grand opening was targeted for spring 2024, and everyone was buzzing with excitement. It seemed like the perfect chance to enhance local governance and better serve the community.
Delays Ahead: Payment Problems Surface
However, a cloud of conflict has now cast a shadow over this promising project, as delays have pushed the anticipated moving date back to fall 2024. The reason? A messy web of payment disputes involving several subcontractors linked to Cooper Tacia, the North Carolina-based main contractor responsible for the construction.
Drywall Specialties: A Case of Missing Payments
The first sign of trouble emerged with Drywall Specialties, LLC. This subcontractor alleges they have not received full payment for their hard work, claiming their labor payment was short by $50,000. With only three payments received during a 16-17 week period, they voiced their frustrations and indicated that they won’t be returning to the project anytime soon—seeking legal recourse instead.
Carolina Utilities Takes Legal Action
The turmoil doesn’t stop there. Carolina Utilities has also joined the legal fray, filing a lawsuit against Cooper Tacia over unpaid costs related to extra fill work required for site preparation. The lawsuit, which amounts to $352,115 plus damages, interest, and legal fees, points out that payment issues began in March 2024, despite what Cooper Tacia officials had promised.
Construction Services Group Agrees on Non-Payment
It seems the problems are widespread. The Construction Services Group is also in hot water, claiming unpaid invoices totaling $517,011 for concrete work completed between April and July 2024. With multiple bills submitted, they too find themselves in a standoff with Cooper Tacia.
Money Flow: The Big Picture
Despite these subcontractors’ frustrations, financial records reveal that Cooper Tacia has already received over $3.2 million of payments up until mid-July 2024. This raises questions among the contractors about where the money is going and why they are being left high and dry.
The Oversight and Compliance Factor
In a twist to this tale, a security bond of about $15.6 million has been issued by the Cincinnati Insurance Group for the project, providing some level of protection during these turbulent times. Meanwhile, a stop work order has also been put in place for GNK Developers. This subcontractor has been deemed unregistered as a contractor in South Carolina, adding another layer of complexity to the already chaotic situation.
The County’s Stance
Horry County officials are keeping a watchful eye on the developing situation, confirming that they are monitoring the interactions between Cooper Tacia and its subcontractors but remain uninvolved in the payment disputes. As these issues unfold, heads will be turned toward Cooper Tacia, which has opted not to comment on the ongoing legal matters but has insisted on its commitment to ethical standards and contractual compliance.
The Road Ahead
As this situation develops, many community members are left wondering how these disputes will affect the timeline and overall success of the Carolina Forest office complex. Only time will tell if these payment disputes can be resolved and if this much-anticipated facility will soon become a reality. For now, the wait for progress continues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Strong Winds Leave Horry County in a Jam
Trump’s Golf Getaways: A Closer Look at the Costs
Trump’s Golf Habit Heats Up: Taxpayers Footing the Bill
Myrtle Beach Faces Air Quality Alert Due to Wildfire Smoke
Myrtle Beach Faces High Surf Advisory and Tropical Storm Warning
2025 U.S. Open Set to Thrill Golf Fans at Oakmont Country Club
South Coast Beer Project to Open in Carolina Forest
Horry County Man Arrested After Gunfire Incident
Horry County Schools Move to eLearning Amid Snowstorm
Horry County Schools Construction Continues Despite Winter Storm
Additional Resources
- My Horry News: Stop Work Order Issued
- WMBF News: Lawsuit Pauses Construction
- WBTW: Petition for Horry County Moratorium
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News Article
- Index Journal: Subcontractors in Payment Dispute
- Wikipedia: Horry County
- Google Search: Carolina Forest County office complex
- Google Scholar: Carolina Forest construction disputes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horry County
- Google News: Horry County government building
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
