Bruce has lived in Tubac, Santa Cruz County, Arizona for the past 33 years. He has been a small business owner and a strong advocate for sustainable economic development in our community. He has developed relationships throughout the County, along with State and Federal governments on both sides of the border. He is running for re-election to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to continue implementing his vision of growth, jobs, investment, and improved quality of life for the residents of the County. His priority is to attract suitable industry that makes long term commitments to our community and create sustainable jobs by fostering and promoting our community’s unique assets.
A successful example of leadership, and hands on involvement, Bruce worked with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Arizona’s Congressional delegation and the International Boundary and Water Commission to help secure close to $39 million to make the much needed repairs of the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI). The IOI traverses 9 miles of the county but has tremendous impacts on the quality of the water that flows on the Santa Cruz River and feeds the aquifer that we all depend on.
Since taking office at the county, Bruce has worked to improve access to East Rio Rico residents by focusing on long-term solutions to some of the most challenging issues. For instance, he was instrumental in securing the close to $17 million needed to pay for the design and construction of the new bridge that will offer grade separation over the river and the railroad on Ruby Road at Potrero Creek. This project will ease congestion, enhance safety, and contribute to the sustainable growth of this critical and fast-growing section of the county. Construction of the new bridge will begin in the fall of 2024. The all-weather crossing at Sonoita Creek on Pendleton Drive is another example of improving access in East Rio Rico.
Bruce was also instrumental in advocating for the need to modernize SR-189, commonly referred to as Mariposa Road, including working with local industry, ADOT and the Congressional delegation in a unique structure to fund the $134 million modernization of the road, including the flyover that connects I-19 to Mariposa Road. The benefits have been many, principal among them offering a safer access to Nogales High School for parents, students, and faculty. This project was a major contributor to the local retail sales tax during the pandemic, when the county’s retail sector was severely impacted due to the mandated closure of non-essential businesses and the restrictions for cross-border travel by Mexican visitors.
During the pandemic, Bruce served as a liaison with state and federal authorities on various vaccination initiatives, including working with health officials to make sure that federal officers at ports of entry and with the Border Patrol were vaccinated during the height of the pandemic.
Finally in another successful example of leadership, at the beginning of the pandemic, Bruce led the effort to coordinate the distribution of thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local residents, including a program that handed out boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables in school parking lots to thousands of families. The resounding success of the program resulted in requests for assistance in other areas of our state. By working with the office of the governor and the Arizona National Guard, dozens of truckloads of fresh produce were transported to and distributed in various areas of Arizona, including Pima and Cochise Counties, and the Navajo, Tohono O’odham White Mountain Apache, Hopi, and Pasqua Yaqui Nations.
He grew up in a family that stressed the importance of giving back to the community, a basic principle that he has fully embraced in his adult life.
The following are some of the organizations in which Bruce has been active:
International Boundary and Water Commission’s Southeastern Arizona Advisory Council, Member
This local advisory board the represents Pima, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties.
Arizona Border Counties Coalition, Official Representative of Santa Cruz County
Founding member of a coalition of County Supervisors from Pima, Yuma, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties. The role of this coalition is to help move local, state, and federal legislation and regulation forward that help advocate and/or accelerate economic development opportunities in southern Arizona with a specific focus on policies and issues that affect the quality of life and economy along the border.
Downtown Merchants Association, Past President
An association of all the merchants on Morley Avenue in Nogales, AZ.
Communicated with Customs and Border Protection to increase staffing and open more lanes at the Morley Avenue Pedestrian Port of Entry.
Acted as liaison between Merchants and the City of Nogales, including working with Administration, Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments.
Greater Santa Cruz County Port Authority, Past Chairman and continuing Board Member
During his years of service on the board, he has worked on a number of initiatives that will have long-lasting impacts on the County, including, but not limited to:
Construction of 6 Cold Rooms at Mariposa Port of Entry: $1.2 million investment that will help diversify the mix of commodities that can be processed at the port of entry and offering year-round service by offering a continuous cold chain for temperature sensitive commodities.
SR189/Mariposa Road: Mechanism to create a community consensus on the scope of the project and helping to create the funding structure for the $134 million dollars of improvements to SR189/Mariposa Road.
Mariposa Port of Entry: Advocated for and helped secure the necessary funding to study, plan and construct the $215 million modernization of the Mariposa Port of Entry.
Supervisor Bracker has testified on multiple instances on behalf of the Port Authority and the County before such bodies and institutions as the Arizona Joint Legislative Committee on Border; Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Border Security; the Arizona Transportation Board to push for consideration of multiple transportation projects throughout Santa Cruz County.
Theodore Gebler Trust / Associated Charities, President
Manage a private charity established in 1926 that funds local Education, College Scholarships, the Santa Cruz County Domestic Violence Shelter, and other small community charities.
EPA Local Government Advisory Committee, Member through December 2020
EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee for Region 9 that covers a great portion of the western parts of the United States, including all of Arizona. Bruce was one of 31 members appointed nationally on this advisory board.
Nogales Community Development Corporation, Founding Member and President (‘07-‘11) www.nogalescdc.org.
A non-profit 501c3 organization operating and managing the Nogales Main Street Program and the Arizona Rural Economic Development Initiative dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Nogales, Arizona, Small Business Development, Asset Development, and Affordable Housing opportunities. NCDC assumes a leadership role in the community by bringing community-based organizations together to best serve the interests of our Citizens.
Developed a small business loan program that has loaned over $500,000 to Santa Cruz county businesses.
Managed the Frontera Nogales VITA (volunteer income tax assistance) Program in Santa Cruz County. Over the last three years, NCD helped 1,776 families receive over $4,200,000 in tax refunds and credits.
Awarded one of eight $2 million grants in the US from the US Department of Housing to redevelop a downtown facility into a multi-use training and resource center; to address asset development gaps related to education, public health, asset development, and business services; as well as, to create a continuum of services referral system across multiple industry sectors.
Recognized by the State of Arizona as a Charitable Tax Credit Organization.
Participated in several regional, local and organizational strategic and development planning sessions throughout Santa Cruz County.
Ambos Nogales Partnership Plan, Community Leader
Participated in the planning process coordinating the strategic plans of 5 non-profit economic development groups located in Nogales, Santa Cruz County and Nogales Sonora. The result was a strategy that identified and coordinated cross-border collaboration for economic development.
Nogales Lions Club Member, Past President
Nogales Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Citizens Academy, Graduate
Established in 2008 to improve the community’s knowledge of Port operations and the responsibility of CBP officers.
Santa Cruz County Workforce Investment Board, Board Member
Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member through a seat designated to the Downtown Merchants Association
