Global hospitality company, Hard Rock International, has announced that it will develop and manage a $600 million hotel and casino project on behalf of the Tejon Indian Tribe. The proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon is to be located in south Kern County, California, approximately 30 minutes south of Bakersfield.

The long-awaited casino project‘s economic impact on Kern County is expected to be significant, with 1,000-plus construction jobs anticipated to be created during the build and more than 2,000 permanent jobs upon completion.

“Kern County will reap significant economic benefits from this exciting $600 million hospitality and entertainment project”

Expected completion date:

Currently, in Environmental Review, the casino expects an 18-24 month construction period once it’s complete, according to our Facebook communication with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon on June 5, 2019. The review process will reportedly be completed towards the end of the year.

Tejon Tribe chairman, Octavio Escobedo, said in the official Tuesday press release (pdf)…

“The Tejon Indian Tribe has a proud history in Kern County. We welcome this partnership with Hard Rock International, one of the world’s most widely recognized brands, as an important step for our Tribe and know that this project will be a great economic driver. It will bring positive benefits for our tribal citizens as well as for the Kern County community for decades to come. Good paying jobs and career opportunities translate into better healthcare, education and economic independence.”

Allen statement:

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida-owned Hard Rock International, Jim Allen, said…

“Hard Rock International is excited to partner with the Tejon Indian Tribe, assisting in the achievement of their long-term goals. We look forward to building a first-class project with the Tejon Indian Tribe that equals our hotel and casino projects across the world.”

Site allocation:

To be situated near Mettler, California, 52 acres of the site will reportedly be dedicated to the casino and resort hotel, while 22 acres adjacent to that will be earmarked for an RV Park. The remaining portion of the tribal-owned property will be used for a health care facility, administrative offices, housing and supporting infrastructure, according to the press release.

Project features:

The new facility will feature a 165,500 square feet casino complete with a 400-room hotel, 13 food and beverage options, a Rock Spa and fitness facility, along with a Hard Rock Live and “the largest conference and meeting space in Kern County.” In addition to entertainment amenities, improvements in public safety in southern Kern County will also reportedly be addressed.

Review process:

All of that is contingent upon the tribe receiving federal approval once an environmental review process is completed.

After a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the Federal Register in August 2015, the Tejon Tribe finally received some good news when earlier this year the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) released a scoping report for the tribe’s project. However, a “draft” environmental statement must still be released by the government agency and that review process is expected to be completed before the year’s end as mentioned above.

Chairman Escobedo went on to state…

“Members of our Tribe have worked for and with the Sheriff’s office and the Kern County Fire Department for many years and we are committed to providing those entities with the facilities and equipment they need to enhance public safety not only for our project but for that entire area of the County. Our project will be privately financed, not costing taxpayers a single dime, and employment opportunities will be available to all qualified applicants, not just tribal members.”

Also weighing in on the recent news, Chief Executive Officer for Kern Economic Development Corporation, Richard Chapman, added…

“Kern County will reap significant economic benefits from this exciting $600 million hospitality and entertainment project. The region will also experience a tremendous influx of ‘new money’ into our local economy as the resort will draw people from throughout California. The Hard Rock brand is iconic in the industry and will further add to the value of the development.”

Key support:

On its already up and running Facebook page, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon posted a caption of a statement from the Senior Vice President for the Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE: TRC), Barry Zoeller, expressing support for the new partnership.

Based in Lebec, Tejon Ranch is one of the largest private landowners in California.

Hard Rock:

One of the most globally recognized companies, Hard Rock International has venues in 74 countries, including 183 cafes, 27 hotels and 12 casinos. The Florida-based hospitality company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in major cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai and also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Included in its destinations are the company’s two most successful hotel and casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by its parent entity the Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as many other locations.