Rising gas prices squeeze West Tennessee small businesses
Local landscaper and daycare owner say fuel costs are cutting into profits
JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) - For local business owners, higher gas prices can mean more than just an expensive trip to the pump.
Landscaper says fuel costs eat into income
Eddie Blaylock, a local landscaper, said gas prices used to be $50 to fill up his truck. Now it costs $105.
“Helping people mow their yards, it’s costing me more than to keep my family in stuff,” Blaylock said.
Blaylock said he used to be able to take $75 and mow everybody’s yard while also filling up his truck. Asked what it costs now, he said, “It’s about about $200 now.”
Daycare owner cites rising costs across operations
Carla Barnes owns three daycares and said she has to cater food from one location to the others.
“I’ve noticed that the prices with the gas it costs us more than it used to cost. Ninety-nine cents, $20 to fill; now, $40 for a small vehicle. Now, as much as it’s $100,” Barnes said. “So when you commute and have to put that together, you’re spending probably $300 a week for gas. So, I mean, it really has made a difference with the economy, and with us with our business as well.”
For many West Tennessee business owners, filling up the tank is getting harder to ignore, as many say they’re starting to have to cut back on things so they can afford to keep the business running.
Some business owners find ways to offset costs
Barnes said some business owners are working together to manage rising costs rather than cutting back entirely.
“We have to help each other out. Locate doing what—the transportation, picking up items, supplies we need for our daycare. The gas price is ridiculous. And they’ve just gone up as of yesterday; the price has gone up different,” Barnes said. “So sometimes, some of the bigger vehicles you used to use, we got to break down to use one smaller vehicle to use. So no matter where you try to cut out, then you have to find another means of another source of income—something that’s on the side to try to cut, you know, to help along with what you’re using out.”
Copyright 2026 WBBJ. All rights reserved.
