The Smartest Move Before You Sign a Lease?

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Hint: It’s Not Paint Color or Signage

Here in the Forest Country, opening a business is a big deal. Whether you’re finally launching that second location, leasing space in a strip center, or planting a new church in a renovated building—you’ve already got a long list of things to think about.

You’ve walked the property.
You’ve priced out renovations.
You’ve imagined customers walking through the door.

But there’s one thing many local business owners forget—and it could cost them thousands:

They never check the electricity plan before signing the lease.

 Not All Buildings Are Equal—Even If They Look the Same

In places like Diboll, Crockett, Alto, and Wells, electricity costs vary wildly, depending on:

  • The utility setup in that building
  • Whether it’s zoned commercial or residential
  • What kind of meter it has
  • When the power is used most (yes, that matters)
  • How much your business draws at once

We’ve seen two retail spaces in the same shopping center—one paying over 16¢ per kilowatt-hour, and the other locked into half that rate.

That’s the kind of margin that can affect payroll, profit, or whether your doors stay open.

 Plan Ahead—Before the Lights Come On

Most folks wait until after they’ve moved in to figure out the electric bill.
But the truth is, you can negotiate your rate ahead of time, and often get a better deal when you do.

Amerigy Energy helps local businesses across the Pineywoods:

Compare commercial electricity rates
Estimate usage for new spaces
Lock in fixed pricing early
Avoid demand penalties and peak-hour surprises

And they do it all at no cost to the business owner.

 A Great Tip for Landlords and Builders, Too

If you’re developing property, managing commercial spaces, or helping tenants get set up, Amerigy can help you get rates locked in as a value-add—before your future tenant ever plugs in the coffee machine.

 Starting Something New? Let’s Talk

Before you commit to a lease, take a few minutes to talk to someone who knows how energy pricing works in our part of Texas.

Call 877-631-8875 and ask for Lee (he handles commercial and real estate projects)
Or email your questions or lease terms to info@amerigyenergy.com
Or browse rates yourself at AmerigyEnergy.com/shopnow

Final Thought

Starting or expanding a business takes heart, hustle, and careful planning.
Don’t let a high electricity bill be the thing that surprises you down the road.

Smart business owners think ahead—especially when it comes to the lights staying on.

Lee Allen Miller
Lee Allen Millerhttps://msgresources.com
Lee Miller is a veteran of the broadcast media industry and CEO of MSG Resources LLC, where he consults on media strategy, broadcast best practices, and distribution technologies. He began his career in Lufkin in the early 80s and has since held leadership roles in both for-profit and nonprofit broadcasting. Lee serves as Executive Director of the Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance and is a member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters Golden Mic Club. He lives near Lufkin on his family s tree farm, serves on the board of the Salvation Army, and plays keyboard in the worship band at Harmony Hill Baptist Church. He and his wife Kenla have two grown children, Joshua and Morgan.

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