Hereford: What Partnerships Mean to NADBank 

At NADBank, partnerships are more than just formal agreements—they are bridges that connect ideas to impact. Whether we are joining forces with public agencies and utilities, private developers or community leaders, our goal is the same: to turn shared challenges into opportunities for lasting, sustainable change along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

These partnerships are dynamic, built on mutual trust and rooted in a common vision. They allow us to pool resources, mobilize innovation and address the very real environmental and infrastructure needs of the border region. From water scarcity to aging water systems, the challenges may be complex, but together, we are better equipped to solve them.  The following explains some partnerships on the U.S. side of the border.  There will be a future piece focusing on NADBank’s partnerships in Mexico. 

Why Partnerships Matter 

Collaboration is a cornerstone of NADBank’s strategic growth. By aligning with key stakeholders, we expand the reach and scale of our impact: co-financing projects, attracting public and private investment and supporting long-term economic and social development. 

But perhaps even more importantly, partnerships allow us to stay grounded in the real needs of the communities we serve. They keep our work relevant, responsive and regionally rooted. 

A Closer Look at Partnerships in Action 

A chart produced by NADBank.

• Lending for Local Impact
• at NADBank, we work in partnership with public and private entities through strategic lending for projects aligned with its mandate, such as water infrastructure and renewable energy. For example, in El Paso County, we partnered with the Lower Valley Water District to finance a $23-million bond for capital improvements. One of the 13 projects was water connections for Panorama Village, a colonia, where residents would reuse water from their washing machines to flush toilets and water trees. Through our financing, residents now have clean, reliable drinking water. 

Co-financing Infrastructure with Local or State Agencies

Here at NADBank, we collaborate with local communities, utilities, and state and federal agencies to co-finance large-scale infrastructure projects. A notable example is the partnership with the Village of Vinton, where funding through the EPA & NADBank along with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development financed a wastewater collection system as well as a water distribution system, which covered a combined project cost exceeding $30 million. This model of cooperation, seen again in New Mexico with projects like the Sleepy Farms wastewater collection system, demonstrates the power of these partnerships in providing first-time infrastructure.  

• U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP)
• Our Border Environmental Infrastructure Fund (BEIF) finances priority water and wastewater projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. With funding provided by the EPA— appropriated annually by Congress through the BWIP — we at NADBank are responsible for administering the resources and overseeing the execution of projects. BEIF has been a game-changer in providing clean drinking water and improving sanitary conditions along the border. Since 2012, annual funding and Congressional support has grown from $5 million to $35 million, significantly expanding our capacity to improve water and wastewater services for border communities. This steady support highlights how consistent program funding can help meet critical infrastructure needs at the local level. 
• Training a new generation of water utility operators
• In collaboration with Microsoft and The Trust for the Americas, we co-funded the Skills for Sustainability (S4S) workforce training program, to train 104 individuals as water utility technicians to help meet the demand for skilled workers in the water industry. Of the total graduates, 79 secured employment with El Paso Water. This initiative not only filled critical staffing gaps but also highlighted the connection between sustainability and workforce development, ensuring that systems are not just built, but maintained by local talent.  
• Sharing our Story
• Whether we’re participating in national conferences or hosting our own NADBank Summit, we see value in dialogue and collaboration.  These gatherings provide a platform to share successful projects and discuss challenges in sustainable development, while also highlighting the technical expertise of the bank’s staff in resolving complex issues. 

We are especially proud of the NADBank Summit, which brings together stakeholders from across sectors to explore bold solutions to the critical infrastructure development challenges at the border region.  With the continuous support of our sponsors, the NADBank Summit has become a platform for thoughtful dialogue, collaboration and leadership in action from both countries. We look forward to continuing that momentum and welcoming both returning and new partners as we prepare for this year’s Summit in August 2025. 

The Result of these Partnerships

By working together across sectors, we amplify our impact to drive innovative projects and achieve sustainable outcomes for border communities. Each partnership strengthens both the public and private sectors, improves the quality of life for border residents and builds more resilient communities.  

At its heart, partnership is about people. It’s about listening to local communities, understanding regional context and working across borders and sectors to create something bigger than any one organization can do alone.  

Through these collaborations, we at NADBank are not just financing infrastructure, we are contributing to a more resilient and prosperous border region. Although the work remains ongoing, each project, each handshake and each shared vision draws us nearer to our goals. 

*The views expressed in the article belong solely to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of NADBank

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Jesse Hereford, head of strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement for the North American Development Bank. The column first appeared on a NADBank blog. It appears in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. Hereford can be reached by email via: JHereford@nadb.org.

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