Tejon Indian Tribe’s gaming compact receives gubernatorial approval

In California and Governor Gavin Newsom (pictured) has reportedly put his signature to a new gaming compact with the Tejon Indian Tribe so as to allow the federally-recognized group to start work on its coming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon venue.

According to a report from local television broadcaster KBAK-TV, the fresh agreement has placed 320 acres of Kern County land into trust for the tribe that will also encompass some 52 acres for the coming $600 million casino resort. The source detailed that this scheme for the plot situated approximately 20 miles south of Bakersfield was first announced in 2019 via a partnership with Hard Rock International and is to see the finished development feature a 400-room hotel as well as a 165,500 sq ft gaming floor.

Prominent property:

The Tejon Indian Tribe reportedly explained that the land-into-trust decision has given it a reservation after more than 150 years of struggle and that it now hopes to bring 13 food and beverage outlets, a 22-acre recreational vehicle park and a fitness center to its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon facility. The southern California tribe purportedly announced that all of this is to be complemented by a Hard Rock Live concert venue, a pool and ‘the largest conference and meeting space in Kern County.’

Refreshing recruitment:

Scott Nielson is to serve as the project manager for the coming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon development and he reportedly told television broadcaster KERO-TV that the enterprise is to create up to 1,000 temporary construction jobs while subsequently providing full-time employment for around 2,000 people. He purportedly asserted that other portions of the new reservation are to be used for ‘tribal purposes including administrative offices, a healthcare facility, housing and supporting infrastructure for tribal members.’

A statement from Nielsen reportedly read…

“Hard Rock International’s interest in this area is because it believes that the Bakersfield and Kern County areas are underserved for this kind of entertainment. We believe that at this location we can build the type of facility that will attract people from all over California.”

Gubernatorial gratitude:

The Tejon Indian Tribe reportedly used an official Monday filing to thank Newsom for his consent while setting aside particular praise for a range of non-governmental organizations in addition to the Kern County Board of Supervisors, Hard Rock International and the operator’s Seminole Tribe of Florida parent.

Read the filing from the Tejon Indian Tribe…

“We look forward to a long and rewarding partnership of mutual respect and cooperation between our tribe and the state.”