Rising Prices Taking Toll On Local Economy

    North Lake County has not been spared the national hike in the price of gasoline. Per gallon costs have jumped over $.50 in the past week, rocketing past $4 per gallon.
    The jump has placed prices at their highest in over a decade, with the largest jump coming since mid-February. According to Gasbuddy.com, the Orlando area's average price for a gallon of gas on Monday was $4.08. That's the highest since at least 2012, the earliest year available to search.
    The increase is placing a pinch on all drivers, but especially those who use heavy equipment, mowers, or drive long distances for work.
    “It’s causing a pinch, and it is going to slow everything down,” said Chris Merrill of Umatilla’s A&M Auto Parts this week. The shop works with many local shops and equipment operators, and is hearing how operations are being curtailed due to rising costs.    “It’s not just gas,” Merrill said. “Everything is going up.”
    Merrill recounted stories including that one customer who normally works the morning, comes into town for lunch, and then goes out for more work in the afternoon.
    “They were working half. They said two trips was too expensive.”
    A&M delivers throughout the county, and Merrill said in some cases the shop is having to limit how many times a day drivers will go to certain outlying areas.
    Like most businesses, the rising costs being experienced by A&M are putting pressure on the bottom line, leading to discussions about the need to increase prices versus trying to keep customers as happy as possible.
    “Margins for everyone are so tight already. With the cost of gas going up, and the cost of supplies going up, we have little choice but to raise prices.”
    It is a story being repeated throughout the area, in both businesses and homes. As prices rise, budgets are put under pressure. Where will it stop? As of early this week, no immediate end was in sight.