Here’s what’s up in SETX, 

Entergy just broke ground on a $2.7 billion power plant in Port Arthur — Governor Abbott was at the mic, 9,000 construction jobs are on the way, and your Entergy bill could actually get a little friendlier by 2028. Meanwhile, Gulf shrimpers docked in the Port Arthur area are facing one of the toughest season openers in years, diesel prices are squeezing everyone from the dock to the grocery store, and a brand-new seafood spot is bringing its first-ever Texas location to Beaumont later this month. The Neches River Festival turns 78 this Friday — and the weekend after that is stacked.

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Let's get into it. 👇

⚡ Entergy Breaks Ground in Port Arthur — Two New Power Stations, $2.7B, and 9,000 Jobs on the Way

Governor Greg Abbott joined Entergy Texas last Thursday for the groundbreaking of two new natural gas power stations: Legend (754 megawatts, Port Arthur on Highway 73) and Lone Star (San Jacinto County). Together, they'll add more than 1,200 megawatts of generation capacity — enough electricity to power 300,000+ homes — with both plants expected to serve customers by 2028. The construction phase alone is projected to pump $2.7 billion in economic activity into the region and create over 9,000 jobs across the Port Arthur and Cleveland areas.

The project is projected to deliver $280 million in long-term customer benefits, including $41 million in fuel savings in the first full year of operation. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick called it a direct response to Southeast Texas's surging industrial energy demands — the same demands that have made the Golden Triangle one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. Entergy CEO Eliecer Viamontes put it plainly: "These two generation resources position us to meet demand, drive job creation and support economic development."

💡 The bottom line: A major power plant with a Port Arthur address means more reliable electricity, lower long-term rates, and thousands of construction paychecks circulating through SETX for the next two years — this one matters.

⛽ Gas Prices Keep Climbing — Iran War Is Hitting SETX Wallets — Texas's average gas price hit $3.87/gallon last week, up more than a dollar from this time last year, with diesel cresting $5/gallon. The Iran conflict's impact on the Strait of Hormuz is driving global oil prices higher, and SETX truckers are feeling it in their operating costs — which eventually shows up in everything from groceries to building materials. AAA Texas says more increases are likely before any relief arrives. Read more →

🦐 SETX Shrimp Season Opener Is in Trouble — Diesel above $5/gallon is forcing many Gulf shrimpers — including boats docked in the Port Arthur and Sabine Pass area — to stay tied up rather than run at a loss. The Gulf shrimp industry has already seen a $268 million revenue collapse since 2021 as cheap imported shrimp from Asia floods U.S. markets. This season's fuel costs could push even more local boats out of the water for good. Read more →

🌳 Free Day in the Park — Alice Keith Park, April 26 — The South Park Neighborhood Partnership is hosting a free community celebration at Alice Keith Park in Beaumont on Sunday, April 26 (11 AM–2 PM). Live music, free food, games, and giveaways — no ticket, no catch. The kind of afternoon where you bump into half the neighborhood.

🚌 Beaumont Veterans Now Ride the Beaumont Zip for Free — The City of Beaumont voted to permanently give veterans free rides on the Beaumont Zip bus system. Veterans apply through the city website, the Jefferson County Courthouse, or Beaumont transit management — then verify at the VA office inside the courthouse. If you're a veteran or know one who needs a lift, pass this along. Read more →

🏠 Up to $40K in Down Payment Help for SETX Homebuyers — Legacy Community Development Corporation is offering up to $40,000 toward purchasing a newly built home (or $14,995 for an existing home in Port Arthur). It's income-based, includes HUD counselor support, and has already helped nearly 100 families get into homes. Applications are open now at legacycdc.org. Read more →

💼 Job Fair at LSCPA — Tomorrow, April 16 — Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas is hosting a free job fair at Lamar State College Port Arthur tomorrow from 10 AM to 1 PM. Bring a resume, no pre-registration required. More fairs coming: Beaumont Workforce Center on April 21 and Port Arthur on April 30. Over 5,900 SETX positions are currently listed on Indeed. setworks.org

📬 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. 🎉

Texas is about to get its first taste of Fiery Crab. The popular Cajun-style seafood chain — known for its seasoned boil bags loaded with crab, shrimp, and crawfish — is cutting the ribbon at its first-ever Texas location on April 23 at 3825 I-10 South in Beaumont. The Greater Beaumont Chamber is hosting the official welcome. If you've been driving to Houston for a proper boil, that commute just got a lot shorter.

📍 3825 I-10 South, Beaumont, TX 77705

⏰ Opening ribbon cutting: April 23, 11 AM–12 PM — follow their social channels for opening-week hours.

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

Joel Pohorence grew up in Southeast Texas. After years in healthcare — shaped by personal loss and a calling he couldn't ignore — he came home to build something different. Pohorence Health & Wellness opened this spring in Orange with a model that puts primary care, weight management, aesthetic services (Botox, dermal fillers), and point-of-care labs all under one roof. No runaround. No waiting three months for an appointment with a stranger. The Orange Chamber welcomed them with a ribbon cutting in March, and the community response has been strong.

📍 2480 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Orange, TX 77630

Running a business in Southeast Texas means wearing every hat and the financial one is usually the heaviest. Tailored Financial Solutions was built to take that weight off local entrepreneurs and growing businesses. Founded by Lance Taylor, TFS delivers accurate bookkeeping, CFO-level strategic guidance, and financial clarity so owners can focus on what they actually built the business for.

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

Tucker Sepaugh is 11 years old and he nearly set a Texas state record. On March 19 at Lake Tyler, Tucker battled a 73-pound flathead catfish for close to 15 minutes before it surfaced. The catch would have topped the current youth state record of 70 pounds — but a guide assist at the net disqualified it on a technicality. Still: 73 pounds on a fifth-grader's line is the kind of fish story Southeast Texas was built for.

The good news for local anglers: flathead season across SETX is heating up right now. April through June is prime time as flatheads move shallow to spawn. The Sabine River, Neches River, and Toledo Bend are all productive — find a slow bend near woody cover, drop a live perch or bream after dark, and let the current do the work.

Beginner tip: go after sunset and be patient. These fish don't bite on a 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.

Entergy Texas just broke ground on the Legend power station in Port Arthur — the $2.7 billion project will generate over 9,000 construction jobs through 2028. Watch for hiring through major contractors as the project ramps up; Turner Industries and Zachry Group are historically active on large SETX industrial builds.

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.

🎓 Port Arthur LNG STEM Scholarship — Port Arthur / Orange County

Ten graduating seniors from Jefferson and Orange counties can win full tuition, books, and fees for up to four years at Lamar University, LIT, LSCPA, LSCO, or other area institutions pursuing STEM degrees. This is one of the best local scholarship opportunities we've seen this year. Deadline is April 15 — don't miss it.

How to apply: Submit your PDF to [email protected] and [email protected].

🔧 Free Welding Training — Port Arthur

The Port Arthur EDC and Lamar State College Port Arthur are funding professional welding training for 75 Port Arthur residents at zero cost — no tuition, no fees. The program runs over three years and is timed to match anticipated shipbuilding demand returning to the region. This is a real pathway to an in-demand trade with strong local hiring prospects.

How to apply: Watch for enrollment details from LSCPA at lscpa.edu or via Port Arthur News.

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.

⚡ The Entergy power plant coming to Port Arthur is one of the biggest infrastructure announcements in SETX in years. What would you like to see built here next?

See you next week neighbor 📍,

The What’s Up SETX Team