Baltimore Businesses Struggle With Rising BGE Bills

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Baltimore residents are feeling the strain of skyrocketing energy bills this winter, but for small businesses, the impact is even more severe. Some laundromat owners are facing utility bills as high as $10,404.66, forcing them to consider how to manage costs without raising prices for their customers.

Laundromats, which rely heavily on water, electricity, and natural gas, have been hit particularly hard. Recent increases in Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) delivery rates by 12% and a 15% hike in city water and sewer charges have made it difficult for business owners to keep up. Spin Cycle Coin Laundry, a family-owned laundromat in Charles North, has seen its expenses rise dramatically since these rate increases took effect in January.

Co-owner Lesly Lemus notes that while rent and utility costs have steadily increased over the years, recent spikes have made it especially tough to stay afloat. Spin Cycle’s natural gas bill rose from $1,900 in November to $2,930 in February, a shocking jump that has forced the family to reevaluate their finances.

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City Council Chairman Zeke Cohen has called for a rollback of BGE’s rate increases, criticizing the company for raising costs to fund infrastructure projects that benefit shareholders. The balancing act between absorbing rising expenses and maintaining affordable pricing is a major challenge for laundromats, whose customers often rely on these services due to limited in-home options.

Some business owners are exploring alternative revenue sources. Spin Cycle has introduced lottery sales, horse racing broadcasts, and curbside laundry services to offset costs. Meanwhile, Hipp Laundromat owner Hafiz Ghani remains cautious, unsure of how to adapt without alienating loyal customers.

With utility costs continuing to rise, laundromat owners must make tough decisions about the future of their businesses. For now, they are hoping for relief before they are forced to pass costs onto customers or make significant changes to stay in business.

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Baltimore Businesses Struggle With Rising BGE Bills was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com