Orange County Businesses and State Officials Highlight Growth, Retail Trends at EDC Luncheon
May 8, 2026
Orange Leader
Regional leaders, state officials, and retail experts recently convened for the Orange EDC Development Luncheon: “Growth in Motion.” The event served as a platform to highlight small business expansion, evolving retail trends, and Orange County’s strengthening position within the broader Texas economy.
Hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, the luncheon featured a diverse array of panelists who explored the drivers of local development, the unique challenges facing modern entrepreneurs, and the projected retail landscape for 2025 and 2026.
Orange County Judge John Gothia opened the program with an optimistic assessment, noting that the region has moved past a period of stagnation. He credited the economic development team for aggressively competing with other Texas communities to secure new business investments.
“It is a competition across the state and the country,” Gothia said. “We are fortunate to finally be getting our fair share.” He emphasized that rising home construction and population growth are key indicators of success, but stressed that sustaining this momentum requires a steady supply of local jobs to retain young residents.
Larry McManus, from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, provided a statewide perspective. He highlighted that Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation and foreign trade impact, boasting 54 Fortune 500 headquarters. Approximately 40% of current state-level projects are international, as global firms look to establish U.S. footprints.
A local business panel, moderated by Dana Espinal of the Lamar State College Port Arthur SBDC, featured David Jones (Gopher Industrial), Heath Sheppard (Lava Java Texas), and Eric Andrus (COS Printing). The entrepreneurs shared their strategies for longevity and growth in a changing market.
Heath Sheppard discussed the rapid expansion of Lava Java, noting that high-quality service and convenience have allowed them to outpace their original five-year growth plan. Similarly, David Jones explained how Gopher Industrial survived the rise of e-commerce by pivoting toward highly technical products and safety services that require specialized expertise.
Eric Andrus, representing a 50-year-old family legacy, spoke on the necessity of adapting to new technologies while maintaining strong community ties. The panelists agreed that the collaborative spirit of the Orange County business community, including chambers and civic clubs, is a major factor in their collective success.
Tyler Sudderth of Retail Strategies provided a data-driven look at upcoming trends. He noted a significant shift toward “value-based” retail and smaller store footprints. As national chains optimize their real estate, they are moving away from massive warehouses toward 5,000-square-foot spaces, a change that benefits smaller communities with limited large-scale real estate.
Sudderth also highlighted the rise of “experiential” retail and “hyper-personalization.” He urged local leaders to maintain a data-driven “elevator pitch” to attract national brands, emphasizing that today’s retailers are looking for hard facts on population and drive times rather than general community accolades.
The luncheon concluded with the recognition of Innovative Heating, Cooling and Plumbing and the Port of Orange. Innovative was honored for its “Build Love” charitable program, while the Port was praised for its century-long role in connecting Southeast Texas to global markets and securing infrastructure grants that support thousands of local jobs.