$6K Grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and WestStar Boosts Innovation and Entrepreneurship in El Paso, Texas

EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and its member WestStar provided a $6,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award to Pioneers 21, a nonprofit innovation incubator based in El Paso, Texas. The funds are part of $1.8 million in PGP funds awarded in 2026 by FHLB Dallas and members in its five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas, and will enable Pioneers 21 to improve mentorship and training, encouraging the growth of the area’s start-up community.

FHLB Dallas made the announcement during a celebratory event in El Paso, commemorating the 30^th anniversary of the PGP.

“Strengthening our organizational capacity ensures that entrepreneurs in the region receive the high-quality, hands-on support they need to navigate growth,” said Laura Butler, executive director at Pioneers 21. “This grant directly supports the backbone of our work, including mentorship, training and strategic connections, helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable, scalable ventures.”

The PGP provides up to a 5:1 match of member contributions—up to $25,000 per member—to strengthen community-based organizations engaged in affordable housing and economic development. Funds for the annual program are distributed through participating FHLB Dallas members like WestStar Bank.

“Pioneers 21 plays a vital role in strengthening El Paso’s small business ecosystem and we’re proud to support them through this grant,” said Mara Portillo, senior vice president, compliance and CRA officer at WestStar. “This grant will enable more entrepreneurs to access the tools and support they need to succeed.”

The PGP has been a critical funding source for small nonprofits, said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

“The Partnership Grant Program gives our members a powerful way to amplify their investments in community organizations that deliver vital services to small business owners,” Mr. Hettrick said. “By leveraging the PGP match they can expand their impact and create lasting value for the communities they serve.”

About WestStar Bank

WestStar is the only El Paso-based community bank and the leading commercial bank in the Borderplex region, which includes El Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Juárez, Mexico. With more than $3 billion in assets, 14 branches and more than 350 team members, WestStar provides commercial lending, Treasury Management, Wealth Management and title services across the region. Member FDIC.

WestStar’s roots trace back more than a century and are built on the combined legacies of four local institutions: Bank of Ysleta, Bank of El Paso, First National Bank of Fabens and Bank of the West, which was rebranded as WestStar Bank in 2012. These institutions united over time through mergers, ultimately becoming WestStar in 2016. Today, WestStar continues that shared commitment to relationship-based banking.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $107.8 billion as of June 30, 2026, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and credit products to approximately 780 member institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.