The Hard Rock Fire Mountain Casino and Hotel, which is under construction in Yuba County in northern California and expected to open in 15 months, appears to be generating economic activity in the area, according to local officials. The casino is a partnership between the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria and Hard Rock International.
Kevin Mallen, director of the Yuba County Community Development and Services Agency told the Appeal-Democrat: “We are definitely seeing an increase in interest in terms of development in that area. The casino is driving that interest. Developers know it’s going to attract potential traffic and customers to the area.”
The casino resort will be 320,000 square feet and including gaming, a buffet, gourmet dining, bar, banquet and meeting center, and retail gift shop. The eight-story hotel tower will have 152 rooms and about 2,750 parking spaces. The 40-acres that contains the complex is part of the 900-acre Yuba County Sports and Entertainment Zone and near the Toyota Amphitheatre.
The area is considered to have positive growth potential, and Enterprise Rancheria spokesman Charlie Altekruse says it is expected to generate about $281 million annually in economic activity for the region. The casino will also pay $86 million to local community and public recipients over the next 20 years through a memorandum of understanding with the county.
The Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation expects private development within the Zone to attract more companies to the zone. Corporation CEO Brynda Stranix told the Appeal-Democrat that the casino and hotel have already generated interest. “We are referring them to Yuba County Entertainment LLC, so they are building a database for interest opportunities,” she said.
The casino may also bring grant money to the area, including infrastructure grants to bring wastewater services to the area. Stranix added, “Another cool thing on the development side is directly across Highway 65 from the casino, there has been interest from property owners for development opportunities,” Stranix said. That piece of land, or strip, is zoned commercial-industrial. It gives the region more properties that are available, whether for sale or lease, so it can help make it more competitive when seeking requests for proposals for sites. It’s just a great new tool in our economic development toolbox.”
