November 10, 2023, 09:00h. 

Last updated on: November 10, 2023, 10:47h.

The US expansion of Hard Rock International continues with a $600 million Southern California development in conjunction with the Tejon Indian Tribe, located around 25 minutes south of Bakersfield in Mettler.

After nearly a decade of lobbying, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a revenue-sharing agreement with the Tejons in June 2022, allowing the project to move forward. The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has agreed to place approximately 320 acres of land the tribe acquired in the federal trust, paving the way for the construction phase.

Construction of the resort is expected to start next month, with Hard Rock International targeting a summer 2025 opening. The company manages commercial casinos and helps federally recognized tribes manage their Indian casinos.

Tejon Tribal Reservation

The Tejon Indian Tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Kent County, was granted sovereign land in November 2022, with Hard Rock planning to occupy around 52 acres of the reservation. The casino resort will offer a 165,500-square-foot facility with 3,000+ slot machines and table game positions, a hotel tower, food and beverage outlets, a pool complex, and an entertainment venue.

Hard Rock Tejon will boost tourism, create jobs, increase investment, and add new entertainment amenities,” said a Hard Rock International statement.

The company believes about 3,000 of the estimated 5,000 jobs will be permanent positions.

Reservation Plan

The tribal reservation will feature an organic farm, a fire station, RV parking, residential areas, a park, a tribal administration building, and a community health center, all funded through the revenue share from the casino and resort. Hard Rock’s $600 million investment will help to fund the tribal infrastructure.