BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Tejon Indian Tribe provided an update on the construction of the long-awaited Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which will be the first resort hotel and casino in Kern County.

Just a half-mile from exit 166 Mettler on Highway 99 as you head toward Grapevine, beams and tractors can be seen as construction continues on Phase I of the billion-dollar project.

“It’s exciting and like many things, the anticipation is part of the fun,” said Jim Damian, Bakersfield’s chief economic development officer. “I think we have a lot to look forward to.”

In December, groundbreaking took place for Kern County’s first resort hotel and casino, with jobs open to the public.

“We’re going to create a lot of jobs through the investment of the tribe and the casino, the Hard Rock brand, there will be about 5,000 new jobs created,” Damian said. “This is very important and very impressive for our region. It’s a great day, a great year and a great time for us to celebrate.”

With the signing of a tribal-state gaming agreement by the governor, the construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kern County was agreed upon as part of the partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe and the state.

“The tribe entered into an intergovernmental relationship with Kern County, and that’s the perspective that the people at the tribe wanted and agreed to, and the county was happy to enter into that agreement and support that site,” Damian said.”

Although the hotel and casino are located 25 minutes south of Bakersfield, Damian says they are just the beginning of what is to come in the area.

“Twenty minutes is pretty tight compared to the drive we have to make now,” Damian said. “We think it’s a great location and we think it really complements the whole area there with the Tejon Commerce Center, the Tejon Outlet Malls and other amenities planned. So we love the location and there’s still room for growth and development for more entertainment in that area.”

The project will be built in two phases. The first phase will consist of a 150,000-square-foot casino with 3,000 slot machines, 48 ​​table games and several dining options, including the famous Hard Rock Café. Phase II will include a 400-room hotel, a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live Event Center, additional casino space, restaurants, a pool, a fitness facility and a spa. It is scheduled to open in December 2025.