Chairman Osceola, Jackson brothers help break ground for new Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Community News Top News Top Story by Analicia Austin - January 31, 2020January 31, 2020 From left, Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr.; Marlon Jackson, of the Jackson Family; Jahnae Erpenbach, executive vice president of operations Spectacle Entertainment and general manager of Majestic Star Casino; Jackie Jackson and Tito Jackson, of the Jackson Family; Rod Ratcliff, chairman & CEO Spectacle Entertainment; and Greg Gibson, vice chairman of Spectacle Entertainment, participate in a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 9 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, Indiana. (Courtesy photo) Indiana is getting a Hard Rock Casino for the first time Hard Rock International and Spectacle Entertainment held a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 9 for the development and construction of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, Indiana. Chairman of the Seminole Tribe Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. was joined at the event by representatives of Hard Rock International and Spectacle Entertainment, HRI’s partner on the project. Three members of the Jackson 5 – Jackie, Marlon and Tito Jackson – were on hand as well. The Jackson 5 was founded in Gary. The 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex will include six food venues, a sportsbook, a retail shop, a 2,000-seat showroom and more than 2,130 gaming positions. From left, Tito Jackson, Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr., Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana groundbreaking ceremony. (Courtesy photo) Phase two of the project will see the addition of a 200-plus-room hotel and a multi-level parking garage. Spectacle Entertainment Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rod Ratcliff stated, “Breaking ground for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is the start of an incredible partnership between Spectacle Entertainment, Hard Rock International and the City of Gary, Indiana. It is an honor to be here today and to see this dream become a reality. A lot of work has gone into this project, a lot of planning. I’m grateful to all those who played a part in it. There is no doubt this is a game changer for Gary, Indiana, and the entire Northern Indiana region.” Spectacle Entertainment pledged to work with minority and women-owned businesses. All 17 senior leaders at Spectacle’s Majestic Star Casino are board directors for local charitable and community organizations in Gary and the Northern Indiana region. Hard Rock International executives gather at the groundbreaking of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. From left, Giovanni Taliaferro, director of memorabilia design; Jon Lucas, COO; Joe Emanuele, vice president of development; Sean Caffery, senior vice president of business & casino development; and David Carroll, senior vice president of human resources. (Courtesy photo) The team has sponsored, participated and volunteered in multiple local events and programs. Hard Rock’s involvement drew praise from the Jacksons. “I want to thank Hard Rock International for recognizing that Gary, Indiana, is a special place,” Marlon Jackson said. “Building this casino will stimulate jobs in Gary, Indiana. Building this casino will increase the economy, and we look forward to working with the mayor, and hopefully bring historical events here.” “Keep in mind that this doesn’t impact just Gary itself; it impacts globally to the state of Indiana because of all the people that are going to come here,” Chairman Osceola said. Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share
