Man said small business lost $324,000

CHESTER, S.C. — Tony McMillan tells Channel 9 his small business is out $324,000.

McMillan runs TNT Trucking in Rock Hill, a company with just over 60 employees. Last fall he hauled thousands of truckloads of dirt in and out of the new Walmart site on the J.A. Cochran Bypass in Chester -- work he said he wasn't paid for.

"This is tough on my business. I'm not sleeping much at night," McMillan said. He filed suit last year against Walmart, the general contractor on the project, DBS, and subcontractor Cape Fear Paving. His lawsuit is notice of a lien on the property.

McMillan's company is not alone. Bill Cody owns BEC Development, a small company that did months of grading work at the Walmart site. He's suing for more than $150,000.

"We're asking for simple ethics here. Pay your bills," Cody said. He doesn't expect to ever see that money, and voiced concern that this was another example of the big guy squashing the little guy.

"I'm a small guy, small contractor. How can I compete with Walmart? I mean it's impossible," Cody said.

A third company, McCarter Farms, also filed suit for nonpayment for more than $100,000. Mike McCarter's company also did grading work in the parking lot and access roads leading to the new store.

All three companies have worked on Walmart stores in the past, with no issues. They believe not enough money was budgeted for this specific project, and that left the smaller contractors  unpaid.

Channel 9 contacted Cape Fear Paving and general contractor DBS on Tuesday. Neither of them had returned calls by late in the day.

Walmart spokesmen W.C. Wertz sent this response: "Like most construction clients, Walmart is not involved in the hiring of subcontractors or individual workers on any project. However, we recognize our role in helping to ensure commitments are upheld and have asked the developer to review the facts regarding the construction of our Chester store."

Cody said even if he can't get the money he earned, he wants to get the wordout so others will be careful. He's disappointed that the world's largest retailer hasn't stepped in to help.

"Those commercials you see on TV? Oh, they're wonderful. Walmart is a warm, wholesome place. Well, it wasn't too warm and wholesome for us. None of us got paid," he said.

There are no court dates yet to hear any of these lawsuits.

The Chester Walmart store has been opened since late October.

WSOC