SETEDF - Keys to the Community - 5 Reasons to Work in Southeast Tx

5 Reasons to Work in Southeast Texas

An Atmosphere Friendly to Business:

Leaders of Hardin, Jefferson and Orange Counties understand the importance of having a vibrant business community and have business-friendly policies in such areas as tax abatements that have attracted major investments from Exxon Mobil, DuPont, Goodyear, Conn’s Appliances corporate headquarters, and others. Neighboring cities and counties generally have similar attitudes, which explains why some $15 billion in new industrial construction is on the horizon for the area (three refinery expansions, two liquefied natural gas terminals, and one new gasification facility).

SHORT COMMUTE TIME TO WORK:

Compared to large cities, residents who live in the Southeast Texas region can get to their work location in 30 minutes or less.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

While many areas of the country are currently experiencing a real estate crisis, the Beaumont metropolitan area has avoided the crunch and was rated 13th among 292 other metropolitan areas for home value retention by MSN Money in May 2008. The inventory of homes in June 2008 according to MLS activity is 7.7 months.

The American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association found in the second quarter of 2008 that in Beaumont the average cost to rent a two-bedroom unfurnished apartment with about 950 square feet was $764 (excluding all utilities except water). The average purchase price for a 2,400-square-foot home on an 8,000-square-foot lot, with four bedrooms and two baths is $258,280.

COST OF LIVING BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE:

The overall cost of living index for the region was below the national average in the second quarter of 2008. With 100 as the national average, the Beaumont area ranked 91.3 overall, 86.9 in housing, and 85.9 for groceries.

DIVERSITY CELEBRATED IN EVERY-DAY LIFE:

Southeast Texas is a very diverse area with 35 percent of its 246,000 residents African American, 13 percent Hispanic, and three percent Asian. Prominent elected officials, Chamber of Commerce Executives and representatives of the local City Councils represent an array of ethnic backgrounds further contributing to the distinct culture and community of Southeast Texas.