The Town of Superior has clinched $4.25 million in appropriations for construction of a new community hub and restoration at the headwaters of Queen Creek.
President Joe Biden signed an omnibus budget bill March 15 authorizing $1.5 trillion in spending across federal government programs, including $2.25 million to revitalize the Queen Creek watershed and $2 million to renovate the original Superior High School campus into a social and entrepreneurial hub for the community.
Mayor Mila Besich and Councilman Gilbert Aguilar recently returned home after meeting with Arizona’s congressional delegation, and the Town applauded its members for securing the grants for what it considers important projects for the future of Superior and the surrounding area.
The two projects are:
- Multi-Gen Center — The former high school campus will house Superior’s library and senior center, a new gym and dance studio and other venue spaces, along with a workforce and business incubator that is the focus of the federal grant.
“Superior has the potential to grow exponentially in the future. Because of Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s leadership and hard work, and that of U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to fund our Workforce, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, we will be able to grow good, high-paying jobs that will enable our Town to build a stronger, more diverse and sustainable economy,” Mayor Besich said. “We applaud our Arizona congressional delegation for their efforts.”
The center is envisioned as a one-stop center for aspiring and current local business owners and employees to work and access training and technical assistance. It will incorporate a commercial kitchen for use by food entrepreneurs and culinary students.
- Queen Creek Restoration Project — Funds included in the Army Corps of Engineers’ budget will install reclaimed water pipeline and rehabilitate existing infiltration pipes. Town officials said the continued restoration work will encourage sustainable economic development alongside mining activity while protecting water quality for future generations.
The Town lauded Rep. Greg Stanton, the only member the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for leadership on securing the funding, part of an $18.5 million appropriation to water infrastructure projects in rural parts of the state.
The former Superior High School building (Photo by Blushing Cactus Photography)
