MCALLEN, Texas - The North American Development Bank is to allocate up to $100 million from its retained earnings over the next five years for urgent water conservation projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.

NADBank Managing Director John Beckham made the announcement at the two-day Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Binational River Symposium hosted by the Texas Water Foundation at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in McAllen.

Beckham said the grant money will be come out of the $400 million Water Resiliency Fund that the NADBank board of directors approved in August. The WRF has been set aside for priority infrastructure projects that conserve and diversify water supply sources throughout the US-Mexico border region.

Beckham said an additional $300 million in low-interest loans is also being made available through the bank’s regular loan program.

The call for projects will focus on the Rio Grande Valley initially, Beckham said, because of the dire need to conserve water in this region.

“The decision to do this project is border-wide. There is no area of the US-Mexico border region, which the bank operates in, that is not part of this project. Having said that, the Lower Rio Grande Valley on both sides of the border is extraordinarily urgent because of the conditions here, and so that is why we are starting with a call for proposals here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Beckham said, at a press conference.

Proposed projects must show clear results, such as water conservation, increase efficiency or development of new sources, NADBank said, in a press release. Examples of eligible efforts may include replacing old infrastructure, converting canals to pipelines, reusing and storing water and using technology that helps monitor and reduce water loss, the release stated.

Project applications will be received until Jan. 8, 2026.

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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PRIMERA, Texas - The City of Primera recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Richmond Hills Drainage Project.

Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 played a key role in the project.

CCDD5 provided a timeline of the events:

Developer Julio Carranza required CCDD5 to use five acres on his property for drainage purposes. CCDD5 then partnered with La Feria Irrigation District to carry out the excavation work. The City of Primera then secured an ARPA grant from Cameron County to fund drainage improvements within the Richmond Hills subdivision.

Finally, the City of Primera secured a drainage easement linking the subdivision’s new drainage system to a new detention pond.

“This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when individuals and government entities work together toward a common goal,” said CCDD5 President Steve Jennings.

“The project, in many ways, would not have been possible without the collaboration and shared commitment of all these partners.”

Ron Whitlock Reports covered the ribbon-cutting ceremony, securing an audio recording of everything said from the podium. That recording is featured below.

Among the speakers was U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez.

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HARLINGEN, Texas - The Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios is the crown jewel of Cameron County’s international bridge system, according to the county’s economic development director, Ramiro Aleman.

The bridge is also known as “Los Indios-Lucio Blanco Bridge”, “Puente Lucio Blanco-Los Indios”, “Puente Internacional Libre Comercio” and “Los Indios Free Trade Bridge”. It is owned and operated by Cameron County. However, the cities of Harlingen and San Benito each receive 25% of the net revenues. The bridge facilities are located on a 127-acre tract of land.

Aleman spoke about Los Indios at a Rio Grande Valley Partnership Commercialization and Investment Tour event, held at TSTC-Harlingen’s Welcome Center. The event was sponsored by Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.

“What I like to call the One Big Beautiful Bridge, Los Indios, is, I think, the crown jewel of the Cameron County International Bridge system, and you can quote me on that,” Aleman said.

During a panel discussion, Aleman was asked to give an update on Cameron County’s international bridge system.

“Cameron County is at the forefront of innovation when it comes to international trade. I say that because I think we just accomplished something that's never been done before, at least from our research,” Aleman said.

“Cameron County is on the verge of purchasing an ownership stake in the B&M Bridge from Union Pacific. I don't think that's ever been done before, at least through our research. With that purchase, Cameron County will now own Veterans Bridge at Los Tomates, which is a commercial and passenger bridge,” Aleman said.

“And Gateway Bridge, which is passenger only, is about to have tremendous upgrades. Over $100 million in upgrades (is coming), plus an additional standalone pedestrian bridge which will ease crossings.”

Aleman then waxed lyrical about Los Indios.

“What I like to call the One Big Beautiful Bridge, Los Indios, is, I think, the crown jewel of the Cameron County International Bridge System, and you can quote me on that. The reason I say that is because it's an overweight corridor and an oversized corridor. You see all those wind turbines? They don't cross anywhere else but Los Indios, because that's the only bridge capable (of carrying such cargo). Not only that, but we also have a cold storage and a cold room facility for (fresh produce) inspections.”

Aleman said any type of fruit or vegetable can cross at Los Indios.

“Fruits or vegetables that need to keep that cold chain, they can cross through here and never break that cold chain. Also, USDA has an agriculture inspection facility there. So, anytime they find any type of anomaly in the product, they can identify it on site. If they have to send it to a lab, that can take hours, days sometimes. But the advantage of us having it at our location is definitely something that we should be promoting, because it is a big advantage for us,” Aleman said.

“I think it is a prime location that you are able to build on, especially here in Harlingen, because the overweight corridor goes right through the industrial park all the way to the Aerotropolis, and the Port of Harlingen. And so, I think that's a great opportunity for investments.”

Editor's Note: Go to the RGG Business Journal to read the full story.

Editor's Note: Attached is an audio recording of everything Aleman said on the panel at the RGVP event.

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