LOCAL BRIEFS: September 2025

City, EDC approve $1.5M incentive,  sales tax rebate for projectAn incentive package of $1.

FACES & PLACES

• First State Bank announced Brandon Fisher, who has served as chief lending officer since 2016, was promoted to director. Beyond the bank, he serves as treasurer and deacon at First Baptist Church of Orange, and vice chairman of the Lamar State College Orange Foundation Board.

SBDC hosting Small Business Symposium Sept. 18 at Central Mall

The Lamar State College Port Arthur Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced Christine Cashen, award-winning author and internationally renowned motivational speaker, will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 Small Business Symposium, scheduled for Thursday, Sept.

TWC: ApprenticeshipTexas helps applied materials build skilled talent pipelines

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is highlighting the success of its ApprenticeshipTexas program, which is helping Applied Materials, Inc., a leader in materials engineering solutions, quickly onboard new technicians and shorten their pathways to critically in-demand manufacturing jobs.

Professional Women’s Conference is Sept. 25

The Sixth Annual 2025 Professional Women’s Conference will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, at Doggett Ford Park, 5115 Interstate 10 South in Beaumont, beginning at 9 a.m. The event is presented by Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and hosted by the BBB Education Foundation Southeast Texas.

Commercial Bank of Texas names Williams VP of Commercial Lending and Business Development

Commercial Bank of Texas CEO and President Rusty Rust announced that Austin Williams has been named vice president of Commercial Lending and Business Development for Jefferson County, in support of the bank’s vision to be the premier community-focused financial services organization.

Revia joins SETEX Construction Corp. as business development lead

SETEX Construction Corp. announced the addition of Bonnie McMillen Revia to its team as the new Director of Business Development and Marketing. Revia joins SETEX following tenure as director of Marketing and Communications at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Southeast Texas.

$1B transmission line planned to upgrade Southeast Texas

Entergy Texas is planning a $1 billion project to build 49 miles of upgraded transmission lines from Hardin County to Jefferson County.

Christus Southeast Texas Health System receives national award for comprehensive stroke care

Christus Southeast Texas Health System has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for delivering high-quality stroke care, hospital officials announced.