BUSINESS SECTION

a quarterly publication of the North American Development Bank

This edition of Connections features recent outreach activities by the NADB at various levels, not only to keep its constituents informed but to be informed by them as well. These endeavors are proving productive as NADB continues to receive the strong support of the ten border governors who look to the Bank as one of most viable means for addressing environmental challenges along their shared borders.

As part of the efforts to better serve the citizens of the border, NADB is seeking input from the public on its Solid Waste Environment Program (SWEP). Created in 1999 as a US$5 million pilot program to finance municipal solid waste projects, the Board is considering making the program permanent and your comments could help determine its future.

Finally, to help communicate the scope of the challenges and what is being done about them, NADB has joined forces with the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs School of the University of Texas in Austin to conduct a study that will illustrate the results of an in-depth evaluation of border environment infrastructure and projects undertaken to expand and improve water, wastewater and other environmental services.

The Bank is constantly striving to improve its programs and services and we welcome your feedback. Feel free to contact us anytime at connections@nadb.org

What's New

-> NADB and City of Matamoros, Tamps. sign letter agreement for landfill development study http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Press_Releases/english/2005/050905.htm

-> NADB to provide grant for development of a regional sanitary landfill for five border towns in Tamaulipas  http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Press_Releases/english/2005/061505.htm

-> NADB and Mexico's National Commission for Energy Conservation sign cooperative agreement http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Press_Releases/english/2005/062805.htm

IN THIS ISSUE

1.- Border Governors Conference addresses NADB issues Within the framework of the XXIII Border Governors' Conference, held on July 14 and 15, 2005 in the city of Torreon, Coahuila, the governors of the six Mexican border states and the four U.S. border states discussed the NADB, among other issues of equal importance and interest for the region shared by both countries. http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Connections/Vol-III/Edition-III/Content/1-En.htm

2.- NADB Solicits Public Comments on its Solid Waste Grant Program Through August 12th, the NADB is seeking public comment on its pilot Solid Waste Environmental Program (SWEP) as part of the program review process. Input from the public on the current program and the future needs of the border region will be considered by the NADB's Board of Directors in making decisions about the future of the SWEP program. http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Connections/Vol-III/Edition-III/Content/3-En.htm

3.- NADB collaborates with the LBJ School of Public Affairs on assessment to evaluate environmental impacts The NADB and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs of the University of Texas in Austin, are collaborating on a project to evaluate the impact of the Bank's infrastructure projects on the environment and human health along the U.S.-Mexico border. http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Connections/VolIII/EditionIII/Content/2En.htm

PROJECT FILES

The NADB provides loans, guaranties and grant funding to environmental projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. To date, almost US$702.4 million in financial assistance has been authorized for 89 infrastructure projects along the border.  Of that amount, 73 percent has been contracted with project sponsors, and 63 percent of the amount contracted has been disbursed. A breakdown of NADB financing activity by state is presented in the table below. http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Connections/Vol-III/Edition-III/Connections-htm.htm#Table-1

To view a status report on all NADB infrastructure projects, click here. http://www.nadb.org/Reports/Project_summary/english/current.pdf

Community Focus

1.- Brawley, California
Project: Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and Improvements to the Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution Systems

Cost:  US$13,761,638

Sponsor: City of Brawley

NADB Funding: Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF): Construction Grant Assistance: US$6,390,736

Benefits:
This project will increase water pressure and reduce malfunctions and maintenance requirements. Secondary treatment prior to discharge of overflows during the rainy season will reduce the likelihood of untreated discharges into the New River, and diminish the risk of infectious diseases associated with raw sewage.

2.- STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA

Project: Air Quality Improvement and Street Paving Program  (PIPCA)

Cost: Entire cost: US$487,000,000
Phase I: US$ 65,200,000

Sponsor: State of Baja California
NADB Funding: Loan & Guaranty Program
Market-rate loan: US$27,620,000

These funds will be applied towards the construction costs of Phase I street paving and transaction expenses

Benefits: When fully implemented, PIPCA will have paved over 50% of the currently unpaved streets in the five cities, directly benefiting approximately 527,000 residents. The remaining two million residents, as well as those living across the international border in counties of Imperial Valley and San Diego, will also benefit from improved air quality and health conditions. Street paving will also help the local communities by facilitating economic activity, improving communication efficiency and extending access to public services including police, fire protection and other emergency services.

In support of its infrastructure financing initiatives, the Bank provides technical assistance through its Institutional Development Cooperation Program (IDP) and Project Development Program (PDP). To date, more than US$16.9 million in assistance has been authorized for 181 studies that will benefit 85 communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

To view a status report on all NADB technical assistance projects, click here.
http://www.nadb.org/Reports/IDP/english/IDP-Eng.pdf

Did you know that a COFIDAN webpage is now available on the Bank's website? In addition to a brief description of what COFIDAN is and how it operates with the Bank, the site also contains a copy of the company's current bylaws, information on the COFIDAN loan portfolio, and direct access to fact sheets on each COFIDAN project.  It can be accessed from the General Information Section of the NADB's site, as well as by its acronym in the Other Links Section. To learn more on COFIDAN, click here.
http://www.nadb.org/COFIDAN/Eng/COFIDAN_frame.htm
===============================================================

* To SUBSCRIBE, please register your details at
www.nadb.org/english/News_Updates/Subscribe.htm  or send a blank email to one or more of the following:
To Receive...                         Please send a blank email to?
English version in HTML format:       join-connections-html@nadbnews.org
English version in Plain Text format: join-connections-txt@nadbnews.org
Spanish version in HTML format:       join-conexiones-html@nadbnews.org
Spanish version in Plain Text format: join-conexiones-txt@nadbnews.org

For more information about the NADB, please visit us at http://www.nadb.org.  For comments or queries concerning the Bank or this newsletter, please send an email to connections@nadb.org.

The North American Development Bank, created under the auspices of NAFTA, is an international 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 integrated, sustainable and fiscally responsible projects with broad community support in a framework of close cooperation and coordination between Mexico and the United States.

2005 Copyright by the North American Development Bank