Here’s what’s up in SETX,
Beaumont's job numbers are in and they're worth talking about. 2025 was the slowest year for local hiring since 2020, even as big investment announcements kept rolling in. At the same time, four of our ports just scored a combined $66M in state infrastructure grants and the Nederland Heritage Festival is in full swing through this weekend. Spring is here, the region is moving and your inbox has the full picture.
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Financial Solutions.
Let's get into it. 👇
📰 THE BIG NEWS
Beaumont Added Just 700 Jobs in 2025 — The Slowest Pace in Five Years
Courtesy of CoStar
According to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Beaumont's economy added roughly 700 jobs in 2025 — the slowest employment growth the region has seen since 2020, and well below the long-term average of around 855 jobs per year. The numbers come via CoStar, which tracks commercial real estate and labor trends across the country. The shortfall is notable because it runs counter to the wave of major investment announcements SETX has seen over the past year: port grants, energy projects, and defense contracts all making headlines.
What that gap means in plain terms: the big deals that get announced take years to translate into actual paychecks. The hiring reality on the ground in 2025 was slower than the headlines suggested. That's context worth keeping in mind as the region tracks whether 2026 investment commitments actually show up in local employment.
💡 The bottom line: Big announcements are encouraging — but watch whether they turn into actual jobs this year.
📋 THE RUNDOWN
bealls West Orange Plaza
🏛️ Beaumont's City Manager Search Is Down to 13 — City Manager Kenneth Williams announced his retirement effective April 30, and Beaumont has already received 13 applications to replace him. The selection process is underway. If you want a front-row seat to where this goes, mark March 24 on your calendar: the City is hosting its annual State of the City address at Jefferson Theatre, this year themed "The Beaumont Awards" — Academy Awards style. Free to attend, 11 AM. Read more →
🛍️ Bealls Is Coming to Beaumont — Grand Opening March 27–29 — Bealls, Inc. is opening a new location at 1380 N. Main St. in the Main Street Shopping Center, with a grand opening weekend set for March 27–29. A new retail anchor on that corridor is a win for the area. Mark your calendar if you've been waiting for more shopping options on the north side.
🎨 Free Spring Break Activity for the Kids — This Friday — Lab 2000 Vinyl Art Studio (3827 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont) is hosting a free Kids Day this Friday, March 13, from 11 AM to 3 PM. No registration, no cost — kids pick a figure, choose three colors, and create their own design. Dress them in comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. It's a solid spring break option that won't cost you a thing. Read more → [12News KBMT]
📬 Which story caught your eye?
TOGETHER WITH TAILORED FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
💰 TFS supports local entrepreneurs and growing businesses through accurate bookkeeping, CFO-level guidance, and strategic decision support. They make financial management clear so you can focus on building your dreams.
Your action items this week!
✅ Apply for the Port Arthur LNG Pathways Scholarship — Open to graduating seniors in Jefferson and Orange County high schools pursuing STEM degrees. Full tuition, books, and fees covered for up to four years. Deadline: April 15, 2026. Submit through the Foundation for Southeast Texas at [email protected].
✅ Get to the Nederland Heritage Festival this week — Free admission. Runs March 10–15 on Boston Avenue, Nederland. Cuisine Walk, chili cook-off, crawfish races, carnival, and live music every night. Weeknights 4–11 PM, Saturday 10 AM–11 PM, Sunday noon–6 PM. nederlandhf.org
✅ Grab Tickets for Whose Live Anyway? — Improv comedy from the cast of Whose Line Is It Anyway? is at the Jefferson Theatre this Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 PM. Tickets from $49. A great date night or group outing — get yours before they're gone at jeffersontheatre.com.
✅ Bring Résumés to the Orange County Spring Job Fair — March 19, 10 AM–1 PM at the Orange Workforce Center (2266 MacArthur Dr, Orange). Free to attend. Employers are hiring — show up ready.
✅ Get your business finances ready for Q2 — Tailored Financial Solutions helps local entrepreneurs with bookkeeping, CFO-level guidance, and financial strategy. Visit tailoredfinsolutions.com 💰
✅ Mark Your Calendar: Beaumont Mural Fest — March 21–22 — Downtown Beaumont, 11 AM–5 PM both days. The 4th annual festival brings live murals, community art, and good energy to the streets — and it's completely free. Details at [email protected].
📅 COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.
THIS WEEK
Mar 10–15: Nederland Heritage Festival | Boston Avenue, Nederland. Free admission. Carnival, Cuisine Walk, petting zoo, chili cook-off, crawfish races, car and motorcycle show, Corn Hole tournament, live music every night. Tue–Fri 4–11 PM, Sat 10 AM–11 PM, Sun noon–6 PM. nederlandhf.org
Mar 11–13: Nederland Heritage Festival (in progress) | Boston Ave, Nederland. Free admission — carnival, live music every night, cuisine walk, and petting zoo. Tue–Fri 4–11 PM. (See THIS WEEKEND for the big Saturday events.)
Mar 12: Grant Writing Basics Class | Press Building, Port Arthur. Led by Joe Tant (Greater Port Arthur Chamber CEO). Certificate included. 9–11 AM. $49/person. Register through the Greater Port Arthur Chamber.
Mar 13: Free Kids Day @ Lab 2000 Vinyl Art Studio | 3827 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont. 11 AM–3 PM. No registration — kids create their own vinyl art design. Free.
Mar 13: SETX Stand Down | Performing Arts Center Dome, Lumberton. 9 AM–1 PM. Free services and resources for veterans and their families.
Mar 12: St. Patrick's Day Party | The Arc of Greater Beaumont, Beaumont. Food, karaoke, and games hosted by the Arc. RSVP at arcofbmt.org or (409) 838-9012. Free.
Mar 13: 21st Annual Senior "Senior" Prom | Bob Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Drive, Port Arthur. 5–9 PM. Theme: "Midnight Rose Garden in the City by the Sea." Semi-formal attire. Hosted by Port Arthur Parks & Recreation.
MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON THEATRE
Mar 13: Hello, Dolly! — 7:00 PM
Mar 20: Grease — 7:00 PM
THIS WEEKEND
Mar 14 to 15: Perfect Game Baseball — March Madness | Doggett Ford Park, Beaumont. Youth baseball tournament. fordpark.com for details.
Mar 14: Nederland Heritage Festival — Parade Day | Nederland Ave (21st to 12th to Boston Ave), Nederland. Parade at 10 AM. Chili Cook-off judging at 1 PM. Motorcycle & Car Show 9 AM–1 PM. Craft Market 10 AM–6 PM. Armband day — $30.
Mar 14: Whose Live Anyway? | Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont. Improv comedy (Whose Line Is It Anyway? cast). 7:30 PM. Tickets at jeffersontheatre.com.
Mar 15: Nederland Heritage Festival — Closing Day | Boston Ave, Nederland. Noon–6 PM. Crawfish Races, Craft & Collectables Market, Characters in the Park at 2 PM, Washer Tournament at 2 PM. Armband day — $30.
COMING UP
Mar 19: Greater Beaumont Chamber YPO Monthly Luncheon | Buckstin Brewing. Featuring Tish Cornell (CommonCents Credit Union) & Derek McWilliams (Sabine Federal Credit Union) on strategic branding & leadership. 11:30 AM–1 PM. Limited seats — register at business.bmtcoc.org.
Mar 20: Spring Bike Night | 1150 I-10 S, Beaumont. Motorcycle meetup & community ride night. 5:00 PM.
Mar 21: Southeast TX Bunny Bash & Family Fest | Lumberton Farmers Market & Vendor Fair. Spring family festival. (Verify time/location.)
Mar 21–22: Beaumont Mural Festival | Downtown Beaumont / Civic Center area. Live art, vendors, kids' crafts, live music. 11 AM–5 PM both days. FREE. beaumontcvb.com/mural-festival.
Mar 21: Adaptive Sports for Kids Opening Day | Babe Ruth Field, Nederland. 9 AM–12 PM. Free community event welcoming kids of all abilities to the new season.
Mar 24: Beaumont Awards — State of the City 2026 | Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont. Academy Awards-style ceremony + live Q&A with city leadership. 11 AM. Free admission, free concessions, food trucks on-site.
Mar 26–Apr 5: YMBL South Texas State Fair & Rodeo | Beaumont. 11-day event — rides, rodeo, fair food, youth auctions, vendors. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. ymbl.org.
Mar 26: Bechtel Job Fair | Port Arthur Workforce Center, 4680 FM 365, Port Arthur. 10 AM–1 PM. Free. Bring résumés.
Mar 28: Symphony Concert — "Destiny, Dance, and Spirit" | Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont. Beaumont Symphony Orchestra. Tickets at sost.org or (409) 892-2257.
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. 🎉
🍽️ FOOD CORNER
☕ Rao's Bakery — Beaumont
No new opening to spotlight this week, so we're shining a light where it belongs: on an institution. Rao's Bakery has been baking in Beaumont since 1941. Over 80 years of kolaches, pies, and pastries that have fed generations of Golden Triangle families. It's the kind of place that shows up at every graduation, every Sunday morning, every "I need comfort food" moment. If you haven't been recently, consider this your reminder.
🤤 Had a great meal somewhere in SETX lately? Reply and tell us — we feature reader picks.
🏢 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Tailored Financial Solutions
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].
🌲 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Courtesy of r/NationalPark via Reddit
Big Thicket National Preserve — Spring Is On
March is one of the best months to get into Big Thicket, and the Pitcher Plant Trail is the reason why. The carnivorous pitcher plants that grow along this trail reach their flowering peak right now, in March and April — it's genuinely one of the stranger and more spectacular things you can see in Southeast Texas without driving more than 30 minutes north of Beaumont. The preserve is also prime territory for birdwatching at Cattail Marsh and kayaking the Neches River (put in at Cook's Lake and follow the Scatterman Paddling Trail for a beginner-friendly float).
📍 Big Thicket National Preserve | US-69, approximately 40 miles north of Beaumont
💡Beginner Tips: Wear layers in the morning, bring bug spray once the warmth kicks in, and check nps.gov/bith for trail conditions before you head out.
No entry fee for most trails.
🏕️ What's your favorite outdoor spot in the Golden Triangle? Reply and tell us — we'll feature the best ones in a future issue.
💼 JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
📸 We're Looking for Local Photographers — Beaumont, Port Arthur & Orange
The What's Up SETX Team is on the hunt for amateur photographers based in the Golden Triangle to partner with us for our social media and newsletter so we can reach and help more people stay in the know.
If you're already out there capturing community moments, local businesses, or everyday life around here, we'd love to start a conversation about working together.
Or if someone came to mind while you were reading this, send it their way.
Interested? Email us at [email protected] with your portfolio or Instagram handle.
🎓 Summer Youth Employment Program — City of Port Arthur
Port Arthur students can earn $10 to $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.
🌿 Tailored Lawn Care
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
📋 Workforce Solutions SETX Job Fairs — Three Dates This Month
Two more job fairs coming up this month connecting SETX workers with local employers. Free to attend! Just bring your resume and your questions.
March 13: Shahan Event Center, Orange | 9 AM–12 PM
March 19: Orange Workforce Center | 10 AM–1 PM
Visit: setworks.org
💼 Hiring in SETX? Send us your job listing and we'll include it — free for local businesses. Just reply to this email.
📣 Your Turn
What's a local business, restaurant, or community staple in your corner of SETX that deserves a spotlight? Reply and tell us cause we're always looking for the next great local story.
See you next week neighbor 📍,
The What’s Up SETX Team
🔗 Share the love — Forward this email to a neighbor or share this link
🤝 Want to advertise with us? Get in touch at [email protected]
🚀 Building a new business? Email us, we'd love to hear your story.
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @whatsup_SETX
🙋♂️ Hitting reply? We’re real people over here and we love to say hi!