NADBank, TWDB and Other Partners Invest $164 Million in Water Resiliency Projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

McAllen, Texas - Today, John Beckham, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) announced the approval of 12 projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that will be partially funded by the Bank's Water Resiliency Fund (WRF). With a total investment of $164 million, these projects will conserve nearly 44,000 acre-feet of water each year, deliver more reliable water to farms and families in South Texas, and help communities address persistent drought conditions. The announcement was made during the Public Meeting of the NADBank Board of Directors in McAllen, Texas.

Along with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NADBank will work with Cameron County Irrigation District No. 6, Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2, Delta Lake Irrigation District, Donna Irrigation District-Hidalgo County No.1, Engelman Irrigation District, Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County No. 1, Hidalgo and Cameron County Irrigation District No. 9, Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1, Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 6, Hidalgo County Consolidated Water Control & Improvement District, La Feria Irrigation District-Cameron County #3 and United Irrigation District to support water reliability projects such as canal lining improvements, canal-to-pipeline conversion, pump station rehabilitation and related infrastructure works across South Texas.

Irrigation districts are responsible for the planning, implementation, operation, and long-term maintenance of water infrastructure within their jurisdiction. They generally function as wholesale water providers, diverting surface water from the Rio Grande, under state-issued water rights, through canals and pipelines to municipalities, water utilities, industrial users and agricultural irrigators.

"Investing in water resilience is investing in the long-term future of our border communities. By helping irrigation districts modernize critical infrastructure, we can conserve scarce water resources, reduce system losses, improve delivery efficiencies and strengthen water-supply reliability for both agricultural producers and growing communities across South Texas," said John Beckham, NADBank Managing Director. "Through this partnership, the Bank is mobilizing local, state, federal and its own resources to maximize the impact of every dollar invested while transforming urgent water challenges into lasting, sustainable solutions that help our region better withstand future drought conditions."

Under the WRF, NADBank funding may cover up to 50 percent of total project costs, unlocking significant local, state and federal co-investment. The approximately $164 million investment will be contributed by the following partners:

• NADBank, providing up to $76 million in grant and loan investment;
• Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), providing nearly $70 million in grant funding; and
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and participating irrigation districts, providing a combined contribution of almost $18 million to support project implementation.

Launched in 2025, the WRF is among the largest binational efforts focused on improving water reliability along the U.S.-Mexico border and is designed to catalyze and accelerate investments that increase water conservation, efficiency and supply diversification for communities facing growing water stress.

In Mexico, a similar call for projects was launched in March 2026, generating 112 expressions of interest from communities across the country's six northern border states. The Bank is prioritizing investments in municipal utilities aimed at conserving water or diversifying water resources. Sixty percent of the projects submitted came from the Mexican states found along the Rio Grande. NADBank is currently analyzing the proposals and coordinating with the Mexican border states to best determine which projects will be selected for funding.

NADBank is a financial institution established and capitalized in equal parts by the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing environmental infrastructure projects along their common border. As a pioneer institution in its field, the Bank is working to develop environmentally and financially sustainable projects with broad community support in a framework of close cooperation and coordination between Mexico and the United States. For more information about NADBank, visit www.nadb.org.