These Drivers Found Cheap Gas
The Seattle Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Horizon Fuel Center in north San Diego County offers relatively cheaper gas prices in California, benefiting from tribal land tax exemptions and Native American-owned fuel suppliers, attracting budget-conscious consumers amid high statewide fuel costs.
- Customers at Horizon include diverse middle and working-class individuals, such as gig workers, independent contractors, and retirees, all seeking to manage the high cost of living and fuel expenses.
- The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians owns Horizon, which has become a successful economic venture for the tribe, with plans to expand despite competition from nearby tribal fuel stations.
- Employees like Molly Garcia and Raychel Johnson find personal growth and job satisfaction working at Horizon, while customers rely on the station to stretch their limited budgets amid economic challenges.
- The station serves as a vital community hub, reflecting broader economic struggles faced by locals, from retirees on fixed incomes to small business owners trying to make ends meet.