Port receives top financial award
For the fifth consecutive year, the Port of Port Arthur received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Excellence in Finance Award.
According to Lachelle Edwards, M.Ed, Public Affairs/Communications manager for the port, compliance is key, recognizing the Port’s commitment to financial transparency, accountability and excellence in financial management.
“The award represents the highest honor a governmental entity can receive,” she stated.
The GFOA Excellence in Finance Award is given to organizations that demonstrate outstanding accountancy and financial reporting. A key part involves adopting and following best management practices and demonstrating sound fiscal responsibility.
Recipients are recognized for their professionalism and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial stewardship.
“Five awards in a row is more than a streak. Clearly, this is an example that the port is managed professionally and is a good steward of limited resources. We are honored to receive the national recognition,” said John Comeaux, president of the Board of Commissioners.
For more information about the GFOA recognition or the Port of Port Arthur, call (409) 983-2011.
Giglio Distributing celebrates 70th anniversary
April 15, Giglio Distributing celebrated 70 years of serving good times and great taste in Southeast Texas.
The locally owned family business operates from a 190,000 square foot location on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in Beaumont with an additional 220,000 square-foot facility in Tyler. The company serves 57 counties including all of East Texas and Southwest Arkansas.
The company was founded by J. C. Giglio to distribute Miller High Life beer with “one man, one truck, and a helper” and has grown from annual sales of 40,000 cases in the first year to more than 12 million cases and the addition of thousands of products including beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
Charles Giglio, son of the founder, became president in 1998. Giglio Distributing and GG, Inc. are now in the third generation of leadership and employ more than 200 people in a family atmosphere that includes many team members with 20, 30 and even 40 years of service.
“We are immeasurably grateful to all our team members for their many years of service and to the communities across 60 counties that have been very supportive,” said Giglio.
New restaurant venue holds soft opening
Pour Neches Riverfront Experince, the newest riverfront family restaurant and pickleball experience in Southeast Texas, hosted a soft opening on April 22-27 with no reservations and a limited food menu.
According to General Manager Krystal Sanchez, it will be a family friendly restaurant serving things like burgers, pizzas, fried and boiled seafood, etc.
“We have pickleball courts for reservations as well as open play,” she said. “We want families to come here and have a casual meal by the water with their family and friends.
The new eatery, 820 Lee Ave., was announced in February 2024.
Program offers opportunities to boost workforce competitiveness
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for the Upskill Texas program, which offers Texas businesses an advantage in building a highly qualified workforce.
Upskill Texas enables businesses to invest in training solutions that address evolving industry demands and ensures they remain competitive in the marketplace. The initiative provides funding to support technical training for employers that are introducing new technologies, expanding into new markets, introducing new services, or restructuring to better serve their customers.
Through Upskill Texas, companies can be reimbursed up to $3,000 for each worker trained under the program. To qualify, a business must have at least 100 employees in Texas and provide a 50% matching contribution, which can include wages and benefits.
Eligible applicants include private, non-profit or for-profit companies, and public healthcare employers. Businesses can also designate a community or technical college, third-party trainer, or workforce development board to apply on their behalf and administer the grant. The initiative is focused on upskilling incumbent workers so the majority of the trainees must have been employed by the business for six months or more. Projects must be between $150,000 and $500,000.
The deadline to apply for Upskill Texas is June 30. Businesses are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed in the order received and funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants can find more information and access application documents at https://www.twc.texas.gov/initiatives/upskill-texas.
BISD student participate in mock interviews
More than 250 Beaumont ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) students stepped into the professional world as they participated in the annual CTE Mock Interviews event, “Preparing Students to Make an Industry Connection,” held at the BISD CTE Center on April 8.
The daylong event provided 11th grade students with a unique opportunity to engage in practice job interviews with business and industry professionals from across Southeast Texas.
Organized by BISD’s CTE Department, the mock interviews were designed to help students gain confidence and experience in the job application process. Students practiced real-world interview techniques and received constructive feedback from professionals, allowing them to sharpen their communication skills and improve their readiness for future careers.
“This event gives our students an invaluable chance to connect with professionals and experience what it’s like to present themselves in a professional setting,” said Eva Leblanc, BISD Business and Industry coordinator. “It bridges the gap between classroom learning and the real-world expectations of the workforce.”
Participants included representatives from a diverse range of organizations and industries, including:100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont, Beaumont ISD (various departments), Bechtel, CASA of Southeast Texas, Chick-fil-A, City of Beaumont – 911 Dispatch and Economic Development, Doggett Auto Group, Genesis Beauty Salon, Grand Canyon University, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Houston Circle of Hope, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange, Port of Beaumont, Raising Cane’s, Region 5 Education Service Center, Shawn Sold It Real Estate Team, Take My Hand Girl and Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas.
Judice’s Cajun Cafe closes in Bridge City
Judice’s Cajun Cafe announced April 12 they officially sold their Bridge City location, according to a social media post. They officially closed their doors at 8 p.m. April 14.
“After years of serving up Cajun comfort and Southern hospitality, the time has come for Judice’s Cajun Cafe to close our doors as we pass the torch to new hands. This isn’t farwell — it’s a thank you. Thank you for every meal shared, every story told across our tables and every moment you made us feel like part of your lives. What started as a dream became something for more meaningful because of your support, your loyalty and your love,” posted on Facebook.”From our hardworking staff to the loyal regulars who became like family — we are forever grateful. While this chapter is ending, the memories will always live on in every bite, every smile and every warm “y’all come back now.” We’ve been proud to call Southeast Texas home — and even prouder to have been part of your story,”
Judice’s 1927 in Nederland will remain open, according to the company.
EMS Academy announces newest EMT graduates
Acadian Ambulance’s National EMS Academy announced its recent EMT graduating class in Beaumont, consisting of four students. They are Aubrey Barnes, Jonathan Killian, Stephen LeBlanc and Raquel Mitchell.
“Our EMT students have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout their training. Their hard work in mastering the curriculum, coupled with their inspiring commitment to serving and saving lives in our communities, makes us incredibly proud,” said Program Manager Timothy Dronet.
The EMT course covers Basic Life Support (BLS) concepts, including patient assessment, airway management, trauma management, cardiovascular emergencies, pediatric care and many other skills that are needed to treat members of the community.
The National EMS Academy holds EMT classes throughout the year. The next class begins on June 2. For more information to enroll, visit www.BecomeAMedic.com.
National EMS Academy offers initial education, continuing education, and refresher courses for a number of EMS career pathways, including EMR, ECA, EMTs, and paramedics. It is a nationally accredited EMS training facility with locations in Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee and is an authorized American Heart Association Training Center for CPR and ECC courses.
Port Arthur Chamber receives proclamation
April 10, a proclamation from State Rep.Christian Manuel’s Office was presented to the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce for more than 125 years to make “valuable contributions to benefit the city and its residents.”
According to the proclamation, the Chamber was established in 1899. It has attained a five-star accreditation from the United States Chamber of Commerce and is the only Chamber between Houston and Baton Rouge that has received the designation.
The past year, the Chamber hosted 72 events for local businesses and directly impacted more than 8,100 individuals. The Chamber’s job fairs were attended by more than 1,800 job seekers — 112 hire on site. Also, they hosted 20 training sessions for area businesses, ranging from digital marketing to disaster recovery.
$621M allocated in monthly sales tax revenue to cities
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will send cities $621.7 million in local sales tax allocations for April, 3.5% less than in April 2024.
These allocations are based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly.
The following is the allocations and comparsions for cities in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties, during the same period in 2024:
• Beaumont — $4.1 million, 13.26% up from $3.620 million
• Bevil Oaks — $6.874, up 0.8% from $6,819
• Bridge City — $157,497, down 7.02% from $169,397
• China — $6,832, down 0.51% from $6,868
• Groves — $217,041, down 11.45% from $1.02 million
• Kountze — $45,114, down 41.90% from $77,659
• Lumberton — $397,118, up 1.4% from $391,604
• Nederland — $573,538, up 15.27% rom $497,534
• Nome — $6,663, up 1.96% from $6,543
• Orange — $482,110, up 15.08% from $418,920
• Pine Forest — $10,353, down 9.17% from $11,399
• Pinehurst — $63,119, up 11.65% from $56,530
• Port Arthur — $1.751 million, up 3.76% from $1.687 million
• Port Neches — $168,728, down 2.27% from $822,955
• Rose City — $32,036, up 135.77% from $13,587
• Silsbee — $84,123, down 4.01% from $252,586
• Sour Lake — $84,123, up 32.27% from $63,595
• Vidor — $278,391, down 4.77% from $292,341
• West Orange — $134,409, up 20.15% from $111,868
