GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - Jones County business owners and leaders are hopeful that they'll be lowering their gas prices soon.

A new EPA report says, the metro Atlanta region meets the federal clean air quality standards. Jones county is classified as an influential area impacting the air over the state capital. Gas stations are required to sell gas that has special additives which increases the prices in the county.

Gas prices are anywhere from 10-20 cents higher than surrounding counties. A cost that's driving business out of Jones County, and frustrating residents.

"It doesn't make any sense to me when right down the road it's a lot cheaper than right here in Gray," says David Strozier, Jones County resident.

A couple of weeks ago, owner of Old Clinton Gas, TJ Heath, and the county commissioners repetitioned the EPD in hopes of getting the restrictions lifted.

"I think that everybody that has looked into this has realized that this don't make sense," says Heath.

Commissioner Robinson is hoping for a response within the next couple of weeks. He says the EPA is set to hand down another set of air restrictions in 2013, and he wants Jones County to be rid of the current ones long before those happen.

"Every taxpayer, every non-taxpayer, every man, woman, and child in this county has been affected," says Commissioner Tommy Robinson, Jones County.