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Power Outages Plaguing Celina Businesses: An Ongoing Crisis
In Celina, Texas, business owners are grappling with the financial toll of frequent power outages that have become a familiar and detrimental aspect of their daily operations. As these outages increasingly disrupt livelihoods, the community is expressing urgent concerns about the reliability of their electric supply.
With outages reportedly occurring as often as 17 times last year, and at least four during the early months of 2026 alone, frustration is peaking. Katie Dunn, who oversees several businesses, including the Nowhere Bar, highlighted a particularly devastating outage that lasted nearly 12 hours, resulting in significant food waste and lost revenue.
The Human Cost of Power Interruptions
“You could be in the middle of your day and then the whole thing goes off,” Dunn lamented. It’s not just a mild inconvenience for business owners; it's a crisis that imposes real emotional and financial stresses. They are forced to toss out perishable goods, with Stella’s Ice Cream losing over $70,000 worth of product within a month due to these outages. Such losses not only impact business bottom lines but also put jobs at risk for local employees, as Casey Harper from Mangiamo Italian Market & Deli expressed. “We’re not only losing our product, we have workers that rely on this business,” he stated, highlighting the fragility of the local economy under these circumstances.
Utility Company Response: Are Upgrades Enough?
The electric provider, Oncor, claims that steps are being taken to mitigate these issues through a multi-phase reliability improvement project. This project consists of upgrading equipment, replacing poles, and implementing advanced switchers in an attempt to bolster system resiliency. While Oncor alleges that extensive upgrades will be completed by summer 2026, many in the community question whether these efforts will sufficiently rectify the ongoing issues.
As reduced margins leave small business owners strapped for cash, investments in essentials like generators and backup systems have become a burdensome necessity. Mikala Everson, owner of Granny's Bakery, noted that spending thousands on such equipment is out of reach for many, further diminishing the ability to compete in a challenging economic environment.
Community Solidarity in Times of Trouble
Despite the uncertainty, Celina’s business community is showing resilience. Local entrepreneurs are adapting to the crisis, striving to manage operations as best they can. Dunn remarked, “We are MacGyvering Celina right now.” Small business owners are forming bonds as they navigate shared hardships, and upcoming meetings organized by the Celina Economic Development Corp. aim to provide a platform for these concerns to be addressed—especially with Oncor representatives slated to attend.
The collective voice of Celina's entrepreneurs demands more than apologies; they seek action and assurance that reliable service is coming soon. The community is calling for solutions that will enhance business continuity and foster a more dependable electric supply.
Moving Forward: What This Means for Business
As power outages continue to threaten the viability of small businesses, community investment in infrastructure and proactive dialogues with utility companies are essential. For now, local businesses are struggling to maintain operations while advocating for improved utilities that match the growth and potential of Celina. As these challenges mount, the emphasis on integration between local needs and utility enhancements grows evermore important.
Engagement among local stakeholders is crucial not just for immediate relief, but for long-term solutions that can transform the business landscape and safeguard livelihoods in the face of adversity.
As Celina looks to the future, the hope remains that improvements in electrical reliability will cultivate a thriving business environment capable of supporting its community amid ongoing development.
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