Conference Sessions 6 and 7 Focus on Community Collaborations
Image: Jay Corella
WRRC 2026 Conference Sessions 6 and 7 will bring a strong conclusion to the conference with examples of community collaboration and interactions with mining and technology organizations.
Session 6: Collaboration Case Studies will be moderated by Greg Hitt, Research and Outreach Programs Associate at the College of Engineering in the U of A School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources. This session will feature two panels exploring partnerships between communities and mining and technology companies.
First, Todd Pryor, Town Manager for the Town of Superior, Mila Besich, Mayor of Town of Superior, and Vicky Peacey, President of Resolution Copper, will describe the ways the Town of Superior is working with Resolution Copper to improve water quality/quantity in the area. In their discussion, they will also describe the process of establishing trust and working relationships between the town and mining companies in the area.
Next, reporting on partnerships between the City of Phoenix and the tech industry, Water Resources Management Advisor Max Wilson will outline the City of Phoenix’s current growth, water demands, and considerations, their large water user ordinance, and water use as it relates to data centers and chip manufacturing.
Session 7: Community Processes Panel will follow, with Susan Craig, Director of Impact Water – Arizona at Arizona State University, as moderator. Eliza Stokes, Program Manager of Growing Water Smart at the Sonoran Institute, and Tahnee Robertson, Director and Senior Facilitator at Southwest Decision Resources, will talk about what they’ve learned through their community engagement and the perspectives of citizens statewide regarding data center construction and operations in their areas. The panelists will also provide some details on zoning code amendments and their role in data center siting decisions.
These sessions will give attendees valuable understanding of the necessary building blocks in creating partnerships between corporations and communities. Don’t miss out — register now!