2014, it was reported that Carolina Southern Railroad could be under new management within six months. Committee co-chairmen Wendel and Dennis Worley planned to meet September 8 with the Pippins. Since Horry County would provide most of the money, County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus would also be there. On August 20, 2014, it was reported that more work could be needed between North and South Carolina before a purchase of Carolina Southern. The problem was that any legislation in North Carolina was dependent on South Carolina passing the same law and that was not likely to happen until at least January. On September 17, 2014, it was announced that most of the details on a possible purchase had been worked out; Wendel said the sale was to be complete by year end. It appeared the railroad would be purchased jointly by both North and South Carolina, but leased to a private operator. On October 2, 2014, it was learned by Waccamaw Publishers that Santee Cooper was involved, with the possibility of the utility using the railroad easements to run natural gas pipelines from North Carolina into South Carolina. On October 6, 2014, Columbus County approved $1.8 million in incentives for the rail line over a 10-year period. The next day Horry County Council approved $1.8 million in tax incentives but did not say where the money would come from. Lazarus said that while the rail line ran through Marion County, they were not financially involved in the project. Sale to R.J. Corman Railroad Group R.J. Corman Railroad Co. filed papers with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board in January 2015 indicating completion of a sale of all but one mile of the railroad near Whiteville as of February 11, with the railroad expected to reopen "sometime during the summer." In a complaint filed March 6, 2015, Corman asked that Ken Pippin be required to sell Carolina Southern. Attorney Bill Hanna Jr. said the two state committee and Pippin had come to an agreement, and the committee assigned the agreement to Corman. Pippin denied any deal had been made. The $13.9 million sale was to be complete by August 2015. Corman expected $2 million in work and another six months before operations resume. With 1600 employees in 23 states and a construction operation, Corman would be able to make the necessary upgrades. Pippin intended to keep the depot in Conway and said