Here’s what’s up in SETX, 

Port Arthur just landed on a very short list. A Navy-backed nonprofit is scouting the city as a possible future submarine-building site — the kind of long-game news that could reshape the region's job map. Closer to this week, the whole Golden Triangle is loading up for a July 4th weekend of fireworks, Orange residents have until July 2 to crown their favorite local businesses, and Baptist Hospitals just committed roughly $50 million to mental-health care. We've also got an Asian-Cajun gem out on US-90 and a shady way to paddle through the July heat.

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

Let's get into it. 👇

Port Arthur Makes the Navy's Shipbuilding Short List ⚓

BlueForge Alliance — a Department of Defense–supported nonprofit tasked by the U.S. Navy with rebuilding America's shipbuilding industrial base — is evaluating Port Arthur as a possible future site for submarine and maritime construction. The city is one of five under consideration, alongside Brownsville, Shreveport, Galveston, and Corpus Christi.

Representatives visited local stakeholders in May 2026 and produced a workforce-development plan covering training, national recruitment, housing, and worker retention. Nothing is finalized — this is early site-selection and planning — but making the list at all puts Port Arthur in the conversation for a generational defense-industry investment.

Looking for even more things to do? Browse and submit community events at events.whatsupsetx.com — updated every week. 🎉

Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.

THIS WEEK

Jul 2: Cajun & Creole Acoustic Jam | American Legion Hall, 922 Nederland Ave, Nederland. 6:30–8:30 PM. Free — bring an instrument, shake a leg, or just come listen to Cajun & zydeco.

MOVIE NIGHTS @ JEFFERSON

THIS WEEKEND

Jul 4: Beaumont 4th of July Celebration | The Lake at the Downtown Event Centre, Beaumont. Free — live entertainment, family activities, and food vendors lead into the largest fireworks display in Southeast Texas. Celebrating America's 250th.

Jul 4: Fireworks on the Seawall (America's 250) | Port Arthur Seawall, Port Arthur. Free, 6–9 PM. A waterfront fireworks celebration along the seawall.

Jul 4: Orange July 4th Concert & Fireworks | Riverside Pavilion, 708 Simmons Dr, Orange. Free — gates 4 PM, live music by The Drywater Band 5–9 PM, veterans recognition at 6 PM, fireworks at 9 PM. Bring chairs and coolers (no pets).

Jul 4: Nederland Fireworks Extravaganza | Doornbos Heritage Park, 2301 Ave H, Nederland. Activities from late afternoon; fireworks around 9 PM. (Confirm 2026 timing with the City of Nederland.)

Jul 5: Beaumont Renegades vs. Oregon Lightning | Doggett Ford Park, Beaumont. 6pm. Home game for SETX's indoor football team.

COMING UP

Jul 17 - 18: I Am Woman Experience 2026 — "There Is Oil After This" | Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont. Two-day women's empowerment event (Fri doors 6 PM/event 7 PM; Sat doors 9 AM/event 10 AM). Tickets from $84.99 VIP.

Jul 18: Golden Triangle Big Band — "Sounds of Home" | Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont. Free. Doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM. An 18-piece jazz orchestra performing original big-band works by Southeast Texas composers.

Which event are you hitting up? Reply and let us know! And if there's an event we missed, submit it or browse the full calendar at events.whatsupsetx.com — updated every week. 🎉

Asian-Cajun might be the most Southeast Texas mashup imaginable, and Wicked Casian leans all the way in. The Beaumont spot out on US-90 piles generous, value-priced plates — think the "Wicked Box" of wings, shrimp, and sausage over garlic noodles, or Cajun fried rice loaded with crawfish and sausage — that marry Gulf Coast heat with Asian noodle-house comfort. It's the kind of under-the-radar local gem that's worth the drive past the city limits.

📍 15151 US-90, Beaumont, TX 77713

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

If Your QuickBooks Is a Mess, Here's How TFS Fix It

Most founders don't realize their books are broken until they need a loan, face an audit, or sit down with a CPA and watch the silence stretch out. By then, months of bad data have already shaped bad decisions.

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The result? A system that technically runs but tells you almost nothing useful about your business. Our 3-step cleanup process gets you to clean financials, an accurate P&L, and a system you can actually trust.

→ Book your free consultation at tailoredfinsolutions.com

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

When the heat turns brutal, locals head for the cool, tea-colored water of Village Creek. The state park in Lumberton — about 25 minutes north of Beaumont — is built for summer: float or paddle the spring-fed creek, swim off the sandy bars, and duck into the shaded Piney Woods trails when you need a break from the sun.

Beginner tip: rent a tube or kayak, put in at the park, and go early to beat both the crowds and the midday heat. Pack water and bug spray, and you've got a quintessential Southeast Texas summer afternoon.

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

🛢️ Refinery Operator — Motiva Enterprises | Port Arthur Refinery
Starting pay around $42.90/hr on rotating shifts — one of the region's strongest entry points into the refining industry. Typically requires a TWIC card, an online assessment, and a drug screen.

Apply at motiva.com/careers.

🏥 Clinical Roles — CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System
CHRISTUS is hiring across its Southeast Texas facilities in 2026 — nurses, techs, and therapists among them.

Browse current openings and filter for Southeast Texas at careers.christushealth.org.

🏗️ Construction Trades — Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 | Port Arthur

Bechtel is the EPC contractor at the Sempra Infrastructure LNG terminal site. If you hold certifications in pipefitting, welding, electrical work, instrumentation, or heavy equipment — or if you have a CDL — this project is hiring through the construction phase. Steady work, local to Jefferson County.

How to apply: bechtel.com/careers | Search: "Port Arthur LNG"

💼 Tax Professional Lead — Tailored Financial Solutions | Remote
Detail-oriented tax pro needed for a growing local firm. Fully remote. Ideal for a CPA, enrolled agent, or experienced tax preparer looking for flexible work with real local roots.
How to apply: Apply: tailoredfinsolutions.com | [email protected]

👷 Blue-Collar Skilled Trades — Port Arthur / Sabine Pass

Patriot Security EOC is hiring 60+ positions across Port Arthur and Sabine Pass. Strong market region-wide for welders, operators, and industrial support roles. Ask about openings at your nearest WorkForce Solutions SETX location or check local job boards.

🏥 Healthcare Careers — CHRISTUS Southeast Texas | Beaumont

CHRISTUS is actively recruiting clinical and support staff heading into summer — registered nurses, technicians, and patient care roles are in demand.

How to apply: Apply at christushealth.org/careers

👩‍🏫 Teachers & Support Staff — Vidor ISD / Lumberton ISD / Hardin-Jefferson ISD

Three area school districts are running job fairs this week with on-the-spot offers — Vidor ISD has 20–30 openings (teachers, sped, bus drivers, custodial, food service), Lumberton and H-J ISD are seeking teachers, aides, transportation, and nutrition staff. Show up ready. Details →

🤝 Community Relations Coordinator for What’s Up SETX

We're looking for a local SETX connector — part community ambassador, part relationship builder. If you're already in the room at networking events and love sharing good news about this region, this role is for you.

Interested? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]

💼 General SETX Openings

Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas posts current openings across industries — manufacturing, healthcare, education, and skilled trades.

How to apply: Browse the full board at setworks.org or stop by a local office in Beaumont or Port Arthur.

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

🔜 Browse all local SETX job listings — coming soon. Sign up for early access when our job board launches: reply here to get on the list →

🎆 What's the July 4th plan?

See you next week neighbor 📍,

The What’s Up SETX Team