Here’s what’s up in SETX, 

Gas prices are climbing and the reason is half a world away. Tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil up 8% this week, and Texas pump prices are already up nearly 6 cents per gallon with experts warning it could get a lot worse before it gets better. For SETX, home to the largest refinery in North America, this one hits close.

Also this edition: a landmark $8.5B plant in Orange is set to come online this year, Port Arthur is getting $404M in flood protection, and the Rainbow Bridge is coming back early. Plus: The Pompano in Port Neches is this week's Food Corner, and a Beaumont apothecary with 15 years of roots on Calder Ave gets the spotlight.

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Financial Solutions.

Let's get into it. 👇

Gas Prices Are Climbing AND What It Means for Your Wallet ⛽

Overseas conflict is already hitting your gas receipt. U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran sent oil prices jumping 8% this week to $72.40 per barrel — and Texas gas prices followed, rising 5.9 cents per gallon in just the past week according to GasBuddy's survey of over 13,000 stations statewide. Beaumont-area drivers are already noticing and filling up early before costs climb further. A University of Houston energy analyst says to expect roughly a 10% increase at the pump but warned that if the conflict drags on four to five weeks, $5 per gallon "would not be a surprise."

For Southeast Texas, this is a story with two sides. Residents are feeling the squeeze at the pump right now. But the Golden Triangle, home to Motiva's Port Arthur refinery (the largest single-site crude oil refinery in North America), major petrochemical plants, and one of the country's busiest energy export corridors is also at the center of how America responds to global supply shocks. The Strait of Hormuz, which a huge share of global oil passes through, is now at risk of disruption, and that pressure flows directly into our region's economy.

💡 The bottom line: Fill your tank sooner rather than later, keep an eye on prices at GasBuddy, and know that what happens in the Strait of Hormuz lands on our gas receipts faster than almost anywhere else in the country. Read more →

🛥️ National Jet Ski Racing Comes to Orange This Weekend

LIQUI MOLY Pro Watercross National Tour opens its season March 6–8 on the Sabine River at the City of Orange Boat Ramp, with elite racers competing on what will be nationally broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Admission is free. Saturday (March 7) also brings the SETX Craft BBQ Festival at Riverside Pavilion — live music, youth BBQ cookoff, jambalaya competition, craft beer, and vendors, 11AM–6PM. VIP upgrades available. Info: 409-883-1011. Read more →

🏭 Orange Is About to Host One of the Biggest Plants on the Planet

A joint venture between Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy is targeting a 2026 startup for their $8.5 billion polyethylene facility in Orange. Once operational, 500+ permanent jobs come online and the company projects $50 billion in regional economic impact over 20 years. For SETX, this is generational. Read more →

📱 Port Arthur Launches "My Civic 311" — Report Issues From Your Phone

The City of Port Arthur rolled out a new non-emergency reporting app on March 1. "My Civic 311" lets residents flag potholes, code violations, overgrown lots, and other city issues directly from their smartphone — no hold music required. It's the fastest path from frustration to action for Port Arthur residents. Read more →

⚖️ Free Legal Help in Port Arthur

Lone Star Legal Aid is hosting a free community outreach event in Port Arthur this Thursday, March 5 from 9AM–2PM. Attorneys will provide free consultations on housing-related civil legal issues — eviction, landlord disputes, and more. Open to all Port Arthur residents. Read more →

🎡 South Texas State Fair Returns March 26

The YMBL South Texas State Fair & Rodeo opens Thursday, March 26 for 11 days of rides, rodeo action, fair food, youth animal auctions, and live performances at the Beaumont fairgrounds. YMBL's biggest annual fundraiser supports local nonprofits, youth sports, and senior services. Tickets and info at ymbl.org.

🗳️ SETX Voters Showed Up — 33.9% More Than in 2022

Jefferson County's primary on March 3 drew 24,099 early voters — nearly 6,100 more than the same period in 2022. Strong turnout signals that SETX residents are paying close attention to who's on the November midterm ballot. Read more →

📬 Which story caught your eye?

Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.

THIS WEEK

MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON THEATRE

THIS WEEKEND

COMING UP

Which event are you hitting up? Reply and let us know! And if there's an event we missed, send it our way for next week's issue. 🎉

Some restaurants earn a reputation over decades and never lose it. The Pompano has been a Golden Triangle institution since Ed Hughes took over the original Pompano Club in 1978 — and now that it's open to the public (no membership card required), there's no reason to save it for a special occasion. The kitchen dry-ages Prime and American Wagyu beef in-house, pairs it with fresh-caught seafood, and backs it all up with a curated wine list and craft cocktails. Whether you're going for the lunch buffet or a full dinner, this one earns its reputation every time.

📍 330 Twin City Hwy, Port Neches, TX 77651 | ⏰ Lunch Buffet: Tue–Fri & Sun 11 AM–2 PM | 📞 409-727-3111 | pompanotx.com

🤤 Had a great meal somewhere in SETX lately? Reply and tell us — we feature reader picks.

Vanlam Nguyen and Alisha Dungan started Down to Earth in 2011 with a simple conviction: Southeast Texas deserves access to natural, organic products without driving to Houston. What started as a one-of-a-kind apothecary on Calder Avenue has grown into a beloved community spot carrying organic essential oils, herbal teas, hand-crafted bath bombs, crystals, locally made jewelry, and skincare products — all sourced with intention. They spotlight local artisans, carry products that are gentle on your body and the environment, and they've since expanded to a second location in Nederland. Whether you're new to natural wellness or a longtime herbalist, Down to Earth is the kind of shop that makes you feel like you found a secret.

📍1455 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77701
📞 (409) 813-8522 | dteshops.com

A dedicated partner to local entrepreneurs and growing businesses making SETX a thriving community through accurate bookkeeping and CFO-level guidance. TFS empowers small businesses and visionaries through strategic decision support and clear financial management. 

📧 Want to learn more? Reach out to TFS via their website at tailoredfinsolutions.com and mention What's Up SETX for a complimentary consultation.

This section is sponsored by Tailored Financial Solutions. Want your business featured here? Email us at [email protected].

The YMBL South Texas State Fair opens March 21 at Ford Park in Beaumont, and if you haven't gone in a few years — or ever — this is the year. Eleven days of rides, a full PRCA rodeo, livestock shows, live music, fair food (fried everything, obviously), and a youth animal auction that showcases some of the hardest-working young people in Southeast Texas. The fair runs through March 31, and tickets are available now at ymbl.org.

📍 Ford Park, 5115 IH-10 S, Beaumont, TX 77705 | ymbl.org for tickets and schedule

🏕️ What's your favorite outdoor spot in the Golden Triangle? Reply and tell us — we'll feature the best ones in a future issue.

Port Arthur students can earn $10–$17/hr this summer through the city's Youth Employment Program offering real work experience that connects classroom learning to career pathways.

Deadline: March 31, 2026 | Apply at paedc.org.

Looking for outdoor work this spring? Tailored Lawn Care is hiring for local routes. Good steady gig with a local company.

Call or text Frederick: (409) 365-4887

💼 Hiring in SETX? Send us your job listing and we'll include it — free for local businesses. Just reply to this email.

Every week, we ask a few questions because this newsletter is a two-way street. Hit reply — we read every single one.

See you next week neighbor 📍,

The What’s Up SETX Team