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NEDERLAND — The public has a chance to learn about the Nederland Economic Development Corporation during an upcoming forum.

The 2025 NEDC forum will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church Nederland’s Fellowship Hall, 1911 Nederland Ave. The forum is free and light refreshments will be served.

Kay DeCuir, NEDC executive director, said the purpose of the event is to educate the public on the EDC. There will be speakers at the event and a Q&A session at the end. 

Like the other Mid County cities, Nederland has a Type B EDC whereas Port Arthur has a Type A EDC. Type A projects are more for manufacturing and industrial projects. Type B can have these types of projects as well as quality of life projects such as paying for land buildings, equipment, facilities, targeted infrastructure and improvements which can include sports and athletic facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities, convention facilities and public parks and more, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website.

The upcoming forum will include information on what NEDC funds can be used for, what is allowed by law and what is not allowed, she said.

Out of the hundreds of types of businesses across the State of Texas, 90 percent are small businesses with only about 10 percent being corporations, she added.

Regional economic development is a key to success for all partners and reflects the diversity of the area. DeCuir is part of a regional economic development group consisting of five counties. The group meets monthly and shares information on prospective projects.

DeCuir is hoping to make the forum an annual event.

“This will be our first one. We are inviting everyone. You don’t have to be from Nederland. Any elected official is welcome to attend. The more people we educate on economic development is a win for everybody,” she said.

For more information call 409-729-1020.