Superior, AZ

A Beautiful Community Greeting the World

A Future Focused Approach to Growth

Nestled in the rugged beauty of Arizona’s Copper Corridor, about 60 miles east of Phoenix, the town of Superior has long been defined by its mining heritage. Today, the community of roughly 3,000 residents is experiencing a new era, one that balances its industrial roots with innovation, tourism, sustainability, and quality of life.

“We’re very fortunate to have a town council that is completely aligned on making sure that Superior develops a diversified economy,” Mayor Mila Besich shares. “Most of us have grown up in this area, and we know how important it is to have a lot of opportunities coming our way after what was a very dormant period before 2016.”

Planning for Growth

The planned acquisition of 546 acres of federal land exemplifies the current vision. Once finalized, the land will provide Superior with room to grow in ways that were previously impossible.

“That will allow us to develop our airport and advance work on our Superior Innovation Gateway Center,” says Mayor Besich. “One of the things we’re very excited about is the potential for a battery/ energy storage system that connects to the Salt River Project grid. In addition, we know that this commerce and business park is ideal for R&D and testing labs and facilities for both existing and emerging technologies, including mining sustainability and advanced aerial mobility.”

The airport itself serves several specialized uses, including tourist glider flights, military, and training exercises for wildfire fighting operations. Development restrictions tied to federal land ownership have limited expansion, but the pending land transaction will unlock new opportunities. “Right now, we are in the process of developing a roadmap that will enable our airport uses to expand while also preparing sites for new, diverse business and industry,” Besich acknowledges.

“We’ve had so many people interested in coming into our airport to do aircraft repairs and different things like that, because the airport space in the Phoenix Metro is becoming more and more limited.”

Superior already has a foundation of industrial activity that supports its economy and provides employment. Companies such as Omya and Imerys operate in the area, producing mineral-based products used in industries ranging from food processing to filtration and construction.

“We have some very fine global companies here, such as Imerys and Omya, and highly value them,” says Besich. “We are working to ensure that this new land, which is proximate to where these companies are sited, will be the location of other prominent domestic and international companies.”

Innovation at The HIVE

With an eye on long-term development, Superior is also investing in the needs of its residents. An exciting example is The HIVE, a high-tech community innovation hub located in the Superior Enterprise Center. Powered by the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration and supported by Rebuild Superior, Inc., The HIVE provides access to technology, training, and resources for residents of all ages.

The mayor expands, “It’s two rooms, plus a podcast room and a telemedicine room, completely high tech. So, anyone from entrepreneurs to young children to senior citizens can go to The HIVE and access these technologies, tools and services.”

The space offers digital support and programming ranging from coding and robotics to 3D printing and animation, making it a space for creativity and engagement. The local school district has even added a bus stop at the facility, making it easy for students to participate in after-school programs. “We have this wonderful state-of-the-art place, and we’re serving our residents and our young people. It’s been such a valuable asset to the community,” Besich says.

A Tourism Destination for Local and International Visitors

Superior’s stunning natural surroundings and historical attractions make it a popular destination. At the heart of the town’s tourism efforts is the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. “The arboretum is a cornerstone,” Besich portrays.

“Over the last 10 years, we annexed the park into our city limits to make sure that we can be good partners and protect this unique asset, while also promoting this major attraction in our own community, as well as across our state, nation and world.” New additions to the arboretum, such as the Wallace Garden and the Hill House Airbnb, have further enhanced the experience.

Superior’s outdoor recreation assets are another popular draw for residents and visitors. The Legends of Superior Trail is one example, connecting to the Arizona Trail, an 800-mile route stretching from Mexico to Utah. “It’s an incredible attraction,” Besich notes. “We have about 1000 people a year who trek the entire 804 miles.”

The growing outdoor recreation market is also creating new opportunities for local enterprises.

“It’s been great to see some of our smaller businesses capitalizing on our outdoor recreation assets,” she adds. Community events, downtown improvements, and park investments are also helping to enhance these experiences for residents and visitors alike. “This is yet another example of Superior’s willingness to get the job done and make sure we’re having some fun while we’re doing it,” she affirms.

Infrastructure for the Future

Behind the scenes, Superior has been steadily upgrading critical infrastructure to support its growth. “This is testament to Superior being shovel-ready on so many projects for things that we need now and into the future,” remarks Mayor Besich. “I heartily credit our staff for having engineered the plans and working through all the systems.”

A new multimodal bridge spanning Queen Creek, a natural wash that runs through the community, represents a major opportunity for Superior. “This particular wash that our residents had to traverse connected our fire department, our school, a whole bulk of residents in our community,” Besich explains. “Their access to US 60 would be blocked when the creek experiences one of our frequent monsoonal runoff events.”

The new bridge solves that problem while also improving walkability. “We’re going to be building new sidewalks from that bridge that will connect us to our elementary school and high school, as well as to the fire station,” she continues. “That also accesses a trail, so you can very easily move around town on a bike or on your feet or on a horse, and very nicely. That is a tribute to Superior and the quality of life we like to maintain and enjoy here.”

Restoring the Queen Creek watershed and protecting local groundwater resources is another focus. This project will ensure that water flowing through the canyon remains in the ecosystem rather than disappearing into historic mining fissures, while also enhancing the natural beauty of the creek corridor.

“This is about repairing our ecosystem, repairing the aquifer, but most importantly, this is going to be a nice, beautiful natural attraction to our community,” Besich conveys. “Everybody loves when the Creek flows.”

Addressing Housing, Infrastructure, and Workforce Needs

Like communities across America, Superior is finding solutions to housing challenges. “We have some unique situations, because we haven’t had a lot of extra land to grow and expand, and housing costs have continued to rise across the nation,” Besich acknowledges. “We’ve been examining best practices and workable solutions in a very methodical way, so that more housing can be built in our town.”

Statewide water regulations have impacted new development in certain areas of Arizona, but the town is working with partners, including Arizona Water Company, to ensure Superior’s water policies continue to support responsible growth. “We’re proud of the relationship that we have with Arizona Water Company and what we’re working for to ensure that we continue to protect our town’s available water supply as well as assuring sufficient supply for future growth,” she says.

“We are also working with our partners at Resolution Copper and ensuring that infrastructure is paid for and funded to bring additional water that would assure our water supply comes from sustainable surface sources.”

Workforce development is another priority. Through the Superior Enterprise Center, the town is collaborating with Central Arizona College and other educational partners to prepare residents for careers in mining, hospitality, horticulture, and other local industries. “We are intently focused on developing the workforce that is needed to meet the skill and talent demands of our existing companies as well as those that will be locating here in the future.” Besich relays.

For the very near-term, sectors such as tourism and horticulture are opening up significant career paths.

“The jobs of the arboretum are long-term, steady jobs, and pay well,” says Besich.

As the town prepares the Superior Innovation Gateway business and commerce park by its airport, the Superior Enterprise Center, Town Government and other training and education partners will collaborate to ensure that the pipeline of workers these companies will need are well- prepared for the jobs that they create.

Companies such as Imerys and Omya – both global companies – are directly benefiting from these initiatives.

“The Imerys perlite mine located in Superior relies heavily on access to a sustained and skilled talent pool, which the community and nearby Phoenix Metro Area readily provide,” Drew Duncan, Plant and Mine Manager, Imerys Perlite USA, INC, relays.

“Additionally, the Town’s business-friendly environment is a major contributor to Imerys’ continued success and production output of our Superior operations. This facility plays a significant role in supplying high-quality minerals to such key industries as construction, filtration, agriculture, and manufacturing.”

For Omya, Corey Van Rensburg, Plant Manager of Omya Arizona, Superior provides the business climate and infrastructure that are integral to its operations. “Omya’s facility in Superior produces high-quality calcium carbonate products, including materials used in food-grade applications. The operation plays an important role in supplying essential mineral ingredients to industries across the Americas while maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards.

He adds, “A key strength of Omya Superior is its people. The majority of Omya employees at this location live in the Superior community or surrounding areas, bringing experience and a strong local connection to their work every day. Omya’s partnership with the Town of Superior is also central to the facility’s success. Reliable utilities, wastewater treatment infrastructure, and responsive emergency services provide the essential support needed to operate a modern production facility safely and efficiently.”

From a community standpoint, Rensburg shares that “beyond day-to-day operations, Omya values its role as a member of the Superior community. The company supports and participates in local events and initiatives throughout the year, reinforcing its commitment to the town and the people who call Superior home. Through these connections, Omya continues to invest not only in its operations, but also in the long-term vitality of the community.”

Without question, mining will continue to play an important role in Superior and the entire Arizona Copper Corridor, as this region contains several world-class mines, including the development of the Resolution Copper project.

A Strong Foundation

As these projects move forward, efforts are focused on fiscal responsibility and clear communication. “Our number one principal and practice is to make sure that we offer transparent government, that we speak to our residents, that they understand what’s going on,” Besich emphasizes. “Number two is that we maintain a strong financial house. We are very pleased that we are on year eight with clean audits and fiscal health. For a small town, that is a huge accomplishment, and I am very proud of our staff.”

For Town Manager Todd Pryor, Superior’s infrastructure investments are laying the groundwork for the next phase of development. “We are working to keep our financial house in order,” Pryor says. “We’re also nearing completion of some major projects, including the rebuilding of our wastewater treatment plant.” He points to recent improvements, including street resurfacing, new sidewalks, and the completion of the Queen Creek bridge.

“We are getting ready for the next large tranche of infrastructure projects that will have to happen around the land exchange,” Pryor highlights. “We need hydrants, we need roads, we need power, we need sewer. All of those things are going to have to be developed, and that’ll be our next big lift. We are more than ready for this challenge.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Superior, Arizona

What: A small town welcoming innovation and growth

Where: Pinal County, Arizona

Website: www.superiorarizona.com