By Salvador López Córdova
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, communities like El Paso and Ciudad Juárez — much like other pairs of “sister cities” — are bound by deep historical, cultural and family ties, as well as a vibrant regional economy that supports tens of thousands of jobs and sustains a significant share of bilateral trade.
That economic engine continues to show remarkable strength. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, the state of Chihuahua exported more than $26 billion in goods — an increase of 43% compared with the same quarter of 2024, according to the latest data from the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography, or INEGI. These numbers reflect a robust industrial base fully integrated into North American supply chains.
Yet it is equally important to recognize that this dynamic economy places pressure on local infrastructure and the quality of life for border residents. The region’s interdependence, the inherently cross-border nature of its economic activity and the fact that both countries share natural resources and air basins, all underscore a shared responsibility to push for a more prosperous future, while also ensuring clean water, air and land for all.
At the North American Development Bank, or NADBank, we support infrastructure projects that deliver a triple benefit: strengthening economic competitiveness, improving quality of life and enhancing general well-being. To advance this mission, we provide financing, as well as technical assistance that helps border communities generate the data and expertise needed to pursue long-term solutions.
Such solutions require several key ingredients: vision, leadership and political will; interagency — and in many cases, international — coordination; and, critically, access to reliable data to support informed decision-making.
The Paso del Norte Joint Advisory Committee, or JAC, offers a clear example of what is possible when these elements come together. The JAC brings together all levels of government, academia and civil society across three states and two countries. It functions as a community-based body overseeing efforts to secure cleaner air for the entire Paso del Norte region.
NADBank has supported the JAC’s mission as a core partner in establishing the Air Quality Monitoring Fund — initially financed through contributions from NADBank and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The fund has enabled the expansion and ongoing operation of Juárez’s air-monitoring network: increasing the number of monitoring stations from four to five, ensuring continuous measurements and providing public reporting for three years. With this information, local authorities, experts and the public can assess risks in real time and plan appropriate actions.
We also provided technical assistance for the development of the Social and Environmental Indicators Dashboard for Ciudad Juárez, created by Rice University and Tecnológico de Monterrey. This tool makes it possible to analyze and visualize key information that reveals how economic, social and environmental factors interact within the city.
Similarly, NADBank supported a pilot study on zero- and low-emission trucks for the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo corridor, one of the most important international trade corridors between the two countries. Conducted by Texas A&M University and the Texas Transportation Institute, the study identifies financially viable opportunities for reducing emissions at border crossings through technological upgrades and logistical improvements.
The border economy is well-positioned to continue growing. Its strong industrial foundation, skilled workforce and strategic location give the region a unique advantage. Our role, as a development bank, is to support the knowledge and infrastructure that will allow this growth to flourish while ensuring that border residents can also thrive with clean, healthy air to breathe.
At NADBank, we understand that lasting progress begins at the local level. That is why we will continue to strengthen partnerships, support projects that bring technical clarity and offer financing solutions tailored to the needs of El Paso, Juárez and all border communities.
Salvador López Córdova is the chief environmental officer at NADBank.
The post Opinion: Cleaner air on the border is a shared commitment appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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