Cooper Tacia Acquires Atlantis Marine Contractors, Establishes Civil & Marine Division
Atlantis Marine Contractors Founder Luis Bellón to lead new division, expanding Cooper Tacia’s capabilities in marine and civil construction.
[April 1, 2026] Raleigh, NC — Cooper Tacia General Contracting Company has expanded its construction capabilities with the acquisition of Atlantis Marine Contractors, a project management consulting firm specializing in marine, environmental and civil construction. The move broadens Cooper Tacia’s service offerings and establishes its new Civil & Marine Division, led by Atlantis Marine founder Luis Bellón.
Bellón brings extensive experience managing complex marine and civil infrastructure projects across the southeast and will manage the division’s technical direction, project execution and client relationships.
“Adding Atlantis Marine to our team allows us to take on projects that require specialized marine construction, from diver-led inspection and hydroelectric dam modifications to marine-based steel fabrication and environmental remediation,” said John Cooper, CEO. “Luis has led these kinds of technically demanding projects for decades, and his leadership will strengthen how we execute work under this new division.”
The new Civil & Marine Division will focus on municipal water infrastructure and marine construction projects. Through this division, Cooper Tacia will expand its ability to deliver projects that modernize and strengthen the region’s water and wastewater treatment infrastructure including plant modifications, expansions, new construction, and related civil utility work. The division will also support coastal infrastructure initiatives including seawalls, piers, channel dredging, beach restoration, and marina construction.
“Cooper Tacia has always been focused on solving complex construction challenges for its clients,” said Luis Bellón, founder of Atlantis Marine Contractors and Cooper Tacia’s Civil & Marine Division Manager. “Atlantis Marine brings that same problem-solving approach to marine and water-based infrastructure. Together, we’re expanding Cooper Tacia’s ability to deliver specialized solutions for projects that require both marine expertise and full-service construction capabilities.”
The division’s first project is the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina’s largest trout production facility. The $48 million project will modernize aging infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and water quality, and strengthen the state’s long-term trout stocking program.
About Cooper Tacia
Founded in 2003, Cooper Tacia is a privately held general contracting firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a division office in Atlanta. For more than 23 years, the company has served public and private clients across the Southeastern United States, delivering construction solutions across government, education and industrial markets.
Cooper Tacia’s portfolio includes K–12 schools, higher education campuses, research and training facilities, community centers, government buildings, manufacturing and industrial campuses, aviation-related construction, retail and multifamily developments, and civil & marine infrastructure projects.
Cooper Tacia is experienced in multiple delivery methods, including Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R), Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build, and tailors its approach to meet each client’s specific needs. Learn more at coopertacia.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Instagram @coopertacia