The Regional Partnership Model forms direct links among institutions in states directly across the international border from one another. This alignment was advocated by various partners during the planning process in order to build on existing relationships between INAH Centers and their U.S. counterparts. One benefit of this model is that it would require coordination among smaller groups of U.S.-Mexico partners, many of whom have cooperated on Previous projects. The Regional Partnership model may also be helpful in promoting the development of interstate, binational heritage tourism strategies, particularly along north-south historic trails (Caminos Reales).
For the purposes of the Missions Initiative, the Regional Partnership Model has two distinct disadvantages. First, it establishes rigorous geographic relationships that do not promote regional collaboration among all federal, state, local, church, and non-governmental partners. Secondly, under such an arrangement, the initiative programs, including those involving U.S. national parks, could be highly dependent on consistent participation and support of state agencies.