Here’s what’s up in SETX,
This week in SETX: Beaumont just approved rezoning for a food-truck park on Concord Road, Beaumont ISD is rolling out new teacher incentive stipends, and a very determined squirrel knocked out power for more than 3,200 Port Arthur residents. On the lighter side, The Beaumont Police attempted to offer a free screening of The Smurfs at Wuthering Heights Park which, we will keep you updated if this will come back — and this past weekend the Port of Sabine Pass threw a free Coastal Celebration with a crawfish boil and fishing giveaways.
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Tailored Financial Solutions.
Let's get into it. 👇
📰 THE BIG NEWS
🚚 Beaumont provided the Green light for a Food Truck Park on Concord Road
The Beaumont City Council approved rezoning along Concord Road, clearing the path for a permanent food-truck park to set up shop on one of the city's busiest commercial corridors. The move gives mobile food vendors a dedicated, stable home — and gives residents a rotating lineup of local flavors without the price tag of a full sit-down restaurant.
Food-truck parks have become community anchors in cities across Texas, drawing foot traffic, supporting small business owners, and creating the kind of casual gathering spot that neighborhoods actually use. For Beaumont, this is an economic development play wrapped in a lunch order.
💡 The bottom line: If you've been waiting on more dining variety along Concord Road, the city just said yes — now it's up to local entrepreneurs to fill those spots.
📋 THE RUNDOWN
🏗️ Beaumont City Council Votes on Dialysis Clinic, Food Truck Park, and Housing This Week — Three development projects go to a full council vote this week, all coming in with unanimous 8-0 Planning & Zoning recommendations. The headline items: a second Fresenius Medical Care dialysis clinic at 3100 N. Major Drive (24 treatment stations, hours 4am–10pm), a 3-acre food truck park on Concord Road near the Target and Modica Bros corridor, and expansion for All Saints Episcopal School plus a Habitat for Humanity contract for low-income housing. More healthcare access plus more dining variety in one vote. Read more →
🏫 BISD Is Holding a Public Budget Hearing — Beaumont ISD is opening the floor for residents to weigh in on the district's proposed budget and tax rate. If you want to understand how your tax dollars are being allocated — or push back on the numbers — this is your window. Read more →
💰 Beaumont Calls for Fiscal Discipline — City leadership issued a formal call for tighter financial management and a clearer budget path forward. The announcement signals that Beaumont is taking a harder look at spending priorities — which matters for residents who depend on city services and infrastructure investment. Read more →
🍎 BISD Launches Teacher Incentive Stipends — Beaumont ISD announced a new stipend program designed to attract and keep high-quality educators in the district. The initiative ties financial incentives to student achievement — a model that other Texas districts have used to address teacher retention, and a signal that BISD is willing to put money behind the problem. Read more →
🐿️ One Squirrel, 3,200 Outages — A single squirrel caused a major Entergy power outage in Port Arthur last week, cutting electricity to more than 3,200 households. The outage has since been resolved, but it's a reminder that SETX's summer grid faces some unexpected threats. Read more →
🏕️ Community Task Force Takes On Youth Violence in Beaumont Parks — A newly organized task force is mobilizing to address concerns about youth violence in Beaumont's public parks. The group is focused on grassroots intervention to make local green spaces safer — especially important heading into a summer when parks see their heaviest use. Read more →
📬 Which story caught your eye?
Your action items this week!
✅ Show up to the BISD Budget Hearing — Beaumont ISD is holding a public hearing on next year's budget and tax rate on June 16. Check the BISD website for the time, and location — and go if you have kids in the district or opinions about how schools spend your tax dollars.
✅ Check out this week's sponsor: Tailored Financial Solutions is your local partner for bookkeeping, CFO-level guidance, and small business strategy. Visit tailoredfinsolutions.com 💰
📅 COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these upcoming highlights.
THIS WEEK
Jun 8: GBCOC Golf Tournament | Beaumont Country Club, Beaumont. Annual Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce golf tournament — member and sponsored event.
Jun 9: YPO Breakfast with the Boss | JK Subaru, 1600 US-69, Nederland. 8:00–9:30 AM. Young Professionals Organization session featuring Daylyn Turner, VP of JK Chevrolet Subaru. RSVP via the Chamber.
Jun 11: Ribbon Cutting — Beaumont Bone & Joint | Tuscany Park, 3460 N. Dowlen Rd, Beaumont. 4:00–5:30 PM. Grand opening celebration for the new orthopedic practice — stop by and welcome a new neighbor to the Dowlen corridor.
Jun 11: Summer Reading: "Art in Every Direction" | Orange Public Library, Orange. 10:30–11:30 AM. Free program presented by the Stark Museum of Art, part of the library's Wednesday summer series.
Movie Nights @ JEFFERSON
June 12 - To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar @ 7 p.m.
June 18 - Selma @ 7 p.m.
THIS WEEKEND
Jun 13: Beaumont Farmers Market | 6525 College St, Beaumont. 8–11 AM. Local produce, handmade goods, and more — runs every Saturday through mid-December. Free.
Jun 14: Big Bang Boom Dance Showcase | Beaumont Civic Center, 701 Main St. Doors 2 PM, show 3 PM. Local dance teams perform standout routines from the season — stick around after to meet the teams. Tickets at the box office or online.
Jun 14–15: Coastal Celebration | Port of Sabine Pass. Free community event with a crawfish boil, fishing giveaways, and family-friendly activities. No ticket required.
COMING UP
Jun 16: Mix and Mingle — DuGood Credit Union | 1795 N. Major Dr, Beaumont. 4:30–6:30 PM. Greater Beaumont Chamber networking mixer — open to members and their guests.
Jun 18: Classic Movie Night — "Selma" | Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont. Doors 6 PM, film 7 PM. Tickets $6 adults / $4 kids under 12.
Jun 2-July 16: Summer Reading: "Take That, Hurricane!" | Orange Public Library, Orange. 10:30–11:30 AM. Free program presented by author Rebekah Hair. Find more info at orangetexas.gov.
Jun 19: Port Arthur Juneteenth Parade & Kulture Block Party | Proctor Street, Port Arthur. Parade begins 3:30 PM; Kulture Block Party follows at 5 PM at the Pavilion. Free and open to everyone.
Jun 20: 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival | Sgt. Lucian Adams Park, Port Arthur. All-day event presented by the Port Arthur Cultural Coalition. Grand Marshal: Elandon Roberts — Port Arthur native and NFL Super Bowl champion. Parade, live entertainment, and community celebration honoring 161 years of freedom. Free.
Jun 20: Great White Sharks in the Gulf — Family Day | Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St, Port Arthur. 10 AM–2 PM. Documentary screening, live Q&A with filmmaker Chester Moore, conservation exhibits, face painting, and hands-on activities. Free.
Jun 20: City of Beaumont Juneteenth Celebration | Beaumont Civic Center, 701 Main St. 4:00–9:00 PM. Indoor celebration with live entertainment and cultural performances. Free admission.
Jun 25: Ribbon Cutting — Doggett Toyota | Beaumont. 10:00–11:00 AM. Greater Beaumont Chamber celebration for the dealership's grand opening.
Jun 25: Go Skate Beaumont | Beautiful Mountain Skate Park (near Downtown Event Centre), Beaumont. 5:00–8:00 PM. Free 18+ skate competition celebrating National Go Skate Day, hosted by EVRYNG and the City of Beaumont.
Jun 26–27: Teddy Bear Clinic | Next Level Urgent Care, 6342 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont. 2:00–6:00 PM both days. Kids bring a stuffed animal for a friendly "check-up" — a great way to make doctor visits feel a little less scary. Free; RSVP at nextlevelurgentcare.com.
Jun 27: Sea Rim Kid Fun | Sea Rim State Park, Jefferson County. Kids fishing event along the Gulf coast — cast a line and explore the outdoors. Free.
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
🌮 Rancho Grande Bar & Grill — Port Arthur
Since 1991, Rancho Grande Bar & Grill has been feeding Port Arthur the way the Carrillo Brothers from Guadalajara intended — with dishes like Chile Relleno and Chicken Diablo that keep regulars coming back decade after decade. Ranked #4 out of 66 restaurants in Port Arthur on TripAdvisor, it's the kind of place that earns that spot not through marketing but through consistency. The cantina stocks specialty tequilas and makes frozen drinks to order, which makes it equally good for a lunch run or a Friday night out.
📍 7670 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX 77642
⏰ Mon–Thu: 11am–9:30pm | Fri–Sun: Extended hours
🤤 Had a great meal somewhere in SETX lately? Reply and tell us — we feature reader picks.
🏢 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SETX's Marketing Networking Group
In 2025, Emily Rhine started an informal, free networking group for marketing professionals across Southeast Texas because there wasn't one.
The group meets regularly at local spots around the Golden Triangle and the conversations are open: AI in marketing, what's actually working, business development, shared challenges. Every industry is welcome from financial services to construction to entertainment. No dues, no strict agenda. Miss a meetup? No worries, you're always welcome at the next one.
Members have built real connections and launched ideas that grew out of these conversations. It's a genuinely good group of people doing interesting work across SETX. If you work in marketing and want a community to grow with, this one's worth checking out.
👉 Reach out to Emily Rhine on LinkedIn if you work in marketing and want in.
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We built TFS on two things that matter most in finance: intelligence and trust. Accurate numbers, clear reporting, and a team that is invested in your growth, not just your paperwork.
When you are ready for a financial partner who works as hard as you do, TFS is ready for you.
👉 Visit us at www.tailoredfinsolutions.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
This section is sponsored by Tailored Financial Solutions. Want your business featured here? Email us at [email protected].
🌲OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Sea Rim State Park — Gulf Beach South of Port Arthur
If you haven't made it to Sea Rim yet this summer, now's the time. Fifteen miles of Gulf beachfront south of Port Arthur — swimming, surfing, camping, and some of the most open sky you'll find in Southeast Texas. It's one of the few spots on the Texas coast where you can still find a stretch of beach that isn't wall-to-wall crowd. June mornings are ideal: get there early before the heat peaks, stake your spot, and you've got the Gulf practically to yourself.
🏕️ 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
The CPChem/QatarEnergy Golden Triangle Polymers plant in Orange is entering its commissioning phase this year, with 500+ permanent operations and maintenance positions expected as the facility ramps toward full 2027 startup.
No formal postings are live yet — watch cpchem.com/careers for announcements. Closer to home, Allegiance Ambulance may be growing its local team following the new Evadale service contract — check allegiance-ems.com for openings in the Jasper County area.
🏥 Multiple Open Positions — Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas | Beaumont
200+ open roles in nursing, medical assisting, medical imaging, billing, and security. Forbes America's Best Employers 2026.
How to apply: bhset.net/careers
💼 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.
🌿 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
💼 Hiring in SETX? Send us your job listing and we'll include it — free for local businesses. Just reply to this email.
🧠 SETX TRIVIA
Did you know? Rao's Bakery in Beaumont has been serving the community since 1941 — over 85 years of kolaches, donuts, and local tradition. That's not just a bakery. That's a Golden Triangle institution older than most of us reading this.
📣 Your Turn
Would you visit a food-truck park on Concord Road — and what kind of food do you want to see there?
See you next week neighbor 📍,
The What’s Up SETX Team
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