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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HARLINGEN, Texas - Rick Carrera, COSTEP's economic development director, gave an update on a project his group is working on to map all the automotive companies in the Rio South Texas region.

COSTEP stands for Council for South Texas Economic Progress. The Rio South Texas region comprises northern Tamaulipas, the Rio Grande Valley, and Laredo.

Carrera spoke briefly about the Binational Autocluster project at a meeting of the South Texas Manufacturers Association (STMA). The meeting was held at Harlingen Convention Center.

STMA Executive Director Mike Willis invited Carrera to give an update. Carrera said COSTEP has so far received 90 responses.

The Binational Autocluster project started in July 2025. It is a strategic initiative aimed at uniting 140+ automotive companies, universities, and economic development entities across South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.

After Carrera had spoken, Willis explained what the project is about.

"For those of you who are not familiar, COSTEP is a regional economic development group. They go to trade shows all over the world. They try to attract companies to our region," Willis said.

"They are trying to map out information about all the companies on both sides of the river that are in the automotive business to help show that to foreign prospects to try to see what kind of supply chain they could have if they located to northern Tamaulipas or especially the Rio Grande Valley. So, that is what that is for."

After the STMA meeting had ended, Carrera gave an exclusive interview to RGG Business Journal about the Binational Autocluster project. He also spoke about an INDEX Nacional conference he attended recently and looked forward to a trade show he will be attending in Florida in the near future.

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LAREDO, Texas - Webb and Starr are leading South Texas in clean energy growth with new solar panels, wind power, and battery storage, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar reports.

The Laredo Democrat released a new update showing that Texas’ 28th Congressional District - his district - is a powerhouse in clean energy production – pairing renewable power with traditional oil and gas to lower energy costs for families and strengthen the local economy.

He said that as a base for economic growth, the district ranks among the top in Texas for new energy projects, with Webb and Starr Counties leading the way in generation and development.

“I’ve always said that South Texas doesn’t have to choose between oil and gas and clean energy,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We can do both – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Our district is producing more energy, creating more jobs, and generating more local tax revenue than ever before. This growth keeps costs down for every household in South Texas while ensuring reliable power for years to come.”

Cuellar said because his district is a powerhouse for new energy, good jobs are being created.

“When I talk with families in places like Laredo, Zapata, or Rio Grande City, I hear the same thing: people just want steady work, affordable energy, and a better future for their kids. That’s what these projects bring — not slogans, but results. They mean paychecks, progress, and pride for our communities,” Cuellar said.

During a webinar with reporters, Cuellar said his district is home to 30 active clean energy projects, generating 3,548 megawatts (MW) of power across six counties — with 18 more projects planned that will add another 3,062 MW of new capacity in the coming years.

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

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BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cameron County Commissioners Court is moving ahead with plans to purchase an ownership interest in the Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge Company from Union Pacific Railroad.

Brownsville & Matamoras Bridge Company co-owns Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge with the government of Mexico.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., said a complex negotiation process to acquire ownership began two years ago. He said the transaction is expected to close in late 2025 or early 2026.

“Securing the Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge Company is a transformative moment for Cameron County. We are preserving a vital piece of binational infrastructure and deepening our partnership with Mexico to support binational transportation, commerce, tourism and cultural exchange, which has a tremendously positive impact on Cameron County and the entire Rio Grande Valley,” Treviño said.

Treviño spoke about the negotiations in an interview with Ron Whitlock Reports at the conclusion of this week’s commissioners court meeting. Here is an audio recording of the interview.

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PHARR, Texas - The wild fluctuations in bridge crossing numbers have made it hard to analyze longterm trends, says Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan.

In his most recent report to the Pharr Bridge Board, Bazan said he will likely not have a clear picture of how things are going until the second quarter next year. The fluctuations have been caused in part by changes in U.S. tariff policy.

“You can see a lot of the ebbs and flows and a lot of the peaks and valleys that we've been talking about since February, and now you're starting to see it also with neighboring bridges and even in Laredo,” Bazan said.

“We're going to continue to see the inconsistencies, the discrepancies, the variables, the factors, whatever you want to call them. We're probably not going to get a clear view of what's going to happen until next year. And not until the second quarter of calendar year 2026.”

The Pharr International Bridge’s new fiscal year started Oct. 1.

“We're going to start also looking at other the ways to get out there and do a little bit more to increase our market share. We've been talking to the leadership. We have our collaboration with the (Pharr) EDC (Economic Development Corporation) and the (Pharr) Chamber, and there are a lot of things that are percolating right now.”

Bazan made his comments after giving a report on border crossings for August, 2025. This audio recording has Bazan’s monthly report in full, along with Pharr Bridge Board consultant Eddie Gutierrez’s revenue report.

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BROWNSVILLE, Texas - CIL Capital held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new manufacturing plant on Texas 48 in Brownsville, close to the Port of Brownsville. The 181,000 square foot facility will be known as Anchor Industrial.

The developers believe the $20 million project will generate 120-plus jobs.

Carlos Garcia, a customs broker and president of Border Trade Alliance-Mexico, invited CIL to participate in the project. The facility will be built by Martín Anzaldúa of Grupo Río San Juan.

This audio recording includes the remarks of all the speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony. They were: Garcia, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation CEO Gilberto Salinas, Guillermo Rico-Leal, director of business development and marketing for the Port of Brownsville, Anzaldúa, and Joaquin Spamer, president and founder of CIL Group.

The emcee was Dalith Cantu, industrial development executive for CIL.

CIL hopes the facility will be open within the next eight months.

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