Rebuild Superior Executive Director Manny Guzman is a seventh-generation resident of Superior. This summer he returned to the community after years living in Tucson, to work full-time with the nonprofit organization.

“I always kept a pulse on what’s going on at home, always stayed involved. It was always my desire to come home,” said Guzman.

Rebuild Superior’s stated mission is to champion residents’ economic and community needs and enhance quality of life for future generations. “One of the guiding principles of Rebuild Superior has been to develop the town’s economy in such a way that our future is less dependent on the volatility of mining politics,” Guzman said.

Among their aims is cleaning up abandoned properties in town, and a pair of recently awarded federal grants is expected to help. Rebuild Superior received Environmental Protection Agency grants totaling $300,000: a direct grant of $200,000 and one as a sub-grantee of Gila County for $100,000. The direct grant kicked in July 1, 2024.

“We’re very grateful to have received both grants. We thought it would be one or the other,” said Guzman. “It’s a good problem.”

The funds will support a “clean and lien” program to rehabilitate the properties – which Guzman said were a unique challenge. “The majority of the time they’re in such bad condition no one wants to touch them,” he said. “It might not be the flashiest thing on earth to address, but it’s important. It’s a quality of life issue.”

Guzman said there were approximately 24 abandoned properties in Superior, adding that while the grants will not cover them all they will provide a good start. The Town of Superior can initiate the abatement process, then contract with Rebuild Superior to assess a property. Guzman said options were to clear the space or renovate; the property could then be reused for housing or commercial purposes.

“This is intended as an example for other rural communities who face similar situations,” Guzman said. “What we’re trying to do is work with the owners to get these buildings out of that condition. The good news is this process is not new to us. We know how to do this and we’re grateful the EPA funds will allow us to expand it.”

The “clean and lien” program is a partnership between Rebuild Superior, the Town of Superior, Gila County and the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition.

“There’s lots of potential in my community, and we’re working with our partners to unlock that,” said Guzman.