Pam Dalton volunteers at the Superior Home and Building Show.
The Superior Chamber of Commerce has been a leading organization in Superior for decades. The organization formed to support and promote the local businesses in Superior. Originally founded in the early 80s, the Chamber has played a role in managing and promoting many events that help to promote Superior and raise money for the Chamber operations.
In the past decade, the Superior Chamber of Commerce has become a stronger organization, with over 100 corporate, business and individual members. For many years the Chamber operated from various locations, from a small desk inside of a local restaurant to buildings lent by members the Chamber, finally a major goal was met and the Chamber moved into a permanent location at 165 Main St. The office serves as one of two visitor centers the Chamber operates, a meeting hall and the main business office for the Chamber. The Chamber also assists the Town of Superior with operating the Caboose Visitor Center located at the US 60 Park.
The leadership and membership of the Chamber have contributed thousands of hours to growing and developing stronger events that promote Superior. The Home Tour and Prickly Pear Festival were added over the years and have become signature events for Superior along with the long time local favorite event, Apache Leap Mining Festival.
Superior Chamber members celebrate last month with the annual Christmas party.
Over the past three years, the Chamber has embarked on a community and economic development project called the Business Attraction Retention (BAR) program, which was funded through the generous support of Resolution Copper. The first phase of the project contracted several consultants who helped to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for Superior. They also helped to identify ideas on business retention and collaboration along with ideas for public art. The Chamber went to work with the second phase of the BAR, which included Blight Mitigation, Marketing, Community Collaboration and Public Art development. One of the signature programs created from the volunteer committees is the home painting program. The program provides residents of Superior the opportunity to paint their homes with little to no cost. To learn more about the free paint program, contact the Chamber at 520-689-0200.
To continue this important work and develop additional funding streams for community and economic development projects the Chamber formed a 501(c)(3) organization named Rebuild Superior Inc. Rebuild Superior Inc works collaboratively with the Town of Superior and the Superior Unified School District to develop programs that will continue to help to improve the economic viability of Superior.
With the funding for the BAR program the Chamber was able to increase their social media and print advertising presence throughout the State. The murals painted on the Superior Sun office, the Flower Mural and the murals on the Payer Motors Buildings were also completed with support from many volunteers and funding through the BAR program.
Membership dues to the Chamber varies on the size and structure of the business. Rates start at $35 per year. The 2018 Superior Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors consists of Sue Anderson, President; Rick Cartier, Vice President; Willa Ficcarra, Secretary; Deb McKee, Treasurer; and board members. Pamela Dalton-Rabago, Debbie Metz, David Lopez, Hank Gutierrez, Mila Besich-Lira, Mike Alvarez and Deborah Kay.
Join the Chamber at the Jan. 17, 2018 meeting, which begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and concludes with guest speakers. President of the Chamber, Sue Anderson, will be giving a year in review presentation and will be sharing on what is coming up for 2018. Superior Mayor Mila Besich-Lira will also be sharing what is coming up for 2018 at the Town of Superior. Lunch is $10 per person, no charge if you do not plan on eating lunch. RSVP for lunch by Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 by contacting the Chamber at 520-689-0200. Non-members will need to leave their payment for lunch at the Chamber Office by noon on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
The Caboose Visitor’s Center, co-hosted by the Town of Superior and the Chamber.