KERN COUNTY, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Hard Rock Casino Tejon is moving forward with the next phase of its development, breaking ground Wednesday on an expansion that will add a hotel, new amenities, and more space for entertainment.<\/p>\n
More than 100 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including leaders from the Tejon Indian Tribe and Kern County. The ceremony comes nearly a year after the casino opened.<\/p>\n
The expansion will include a 400-room hotel, with 119 suites, along with a resort-style pool, spa, steakhouse, expanded gaming, and new space for events and entertainment.<\/p>\n
The casino also marked the occasion by donating a total of $50,000 to five nonprofits, including Toys for Tots and Honor Flight Kern County.<\/p>\n
Tejon Indian Tribe Councilman Tommy Gonzales said the casino has made a significant economic impact on the tribe and the surrounding community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big economic development for us, and it\u2019s meant a whole lot. It\u2019s changed a lot of lives, not just ours, as in hiring our tribal members as employees, but for the whole county,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
Hard Rock Casino Tejon currently employs about 1,400 people. The expansion is expected to create hundreds of additional jobs.<\/p>\n
Kathy Degolia, vice president of marketing for Hard Rock Casino Tejon, said the project could also create opportunities for current employees to advance within the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity for positions, the opportunity for growth, the opportunity for promotion within the employee population, is huge,\u201d Degolia said.<\/p>\n
She encouraged people looking for work to explore available positions at the casino.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome here and apply, and look around and see what appeals to you, and have a good time with us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gonzales said the project represents more than economic development, pointing to the role community support has played in the casino’s growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur motto, \u2018give all, serve all\u2019. We\u2019re serving our people; we\u2019re serving our patrons that come in and out. My heart just goes out to everyone, and I thank them all, all the people of Kern County,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
The hotel and resort expansion is currently expected to be completed by summer 2028.<\/p>\n
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