One thing many Yazoo City residents can’t help but notice when they’re driving around the region is that gasoline prices are considerably lower in every other community.
That’s nothing unusual in larger cities like Jackson or even Vicksburg, but when gas prices are nearly 20 cents per gallon cheaper in places like Belzoni and Anguilla something is wrong. Gas prices are currently averaging $1.90 statewide, and it’s not hard to find gas going for lower than that in nearby communities.
But you’re still going to pay over $2 for a gallon of gasoline in Yazoo City. That adds up to a significant amount of money for local families who have to fill up regularly. We are missing out on an economic boost that most of the rest of the state is enjoying.
When you start asking questions about gasoline prices you get all kinds of excuses, but the bottom line is that if neighboring communities can sell gas at the normal average price there is no reason why Yazoo service stations cannot.
There can only be two reasons why local prices remain so high:
1. Our local distributors are asleep at the wheel and are still paying high prices themselves.
2. Our local distributors are going to charge as much as they can get away with as long as we’re willing to pay it.
Whatever the reason, it’s time Yazoo City’s gas stations started offering competitive prices. These days it’s easy for people to spread the word that prices are lower in neighboring communities. It’s hard to believe that none of our local service stations have taken advantage of the opportunity to offer lower prices and attract more business.
This newspaper is a strong advocate of shopping local. We regularly urge our readers to spend their money at home as often as possible.
But we can’t blame you if you decided to pass our local gas stations by as long as there are much better prices just up the road.
