Customers see increase in Mountain Electric rates in October bills

Mountain Electric customers saw a rate increase of 3.5% on their October 1 bills. Mountain City and Mountain Electric leaders had tried for months to find ways to keep electric rates down after the closing of Parkdale Mills late last year, but due to the loss of equipment, increased demand, and the struggle to bring in new industry since the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene, residents are now paying more. Mountain Electric and local officials say the biggest contributing factor to the rate increase was the loss of Parkdale Mills. The customer charge will increase around $2.32 each month for residential consumers. Officials say the could have increased the rate further, but made the decision to increase rates incrementally.