- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
The Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation is developing a new travel center and community hub in Jamul, Calif., expanding the tribe’s non-gaming business portfolio in San Diego County.
The project, Barretts Travel Center, is under construction along State Route 94, a key corridor for regional traffic east of San Diego. The development will include a fuel station with gasoline, diesel and electric vehicle charging, along with a convenience store, restaurant and bar, and a community center space, according to the tribe.
The project will also restore the historic Barrett House, a local landmark along the highway, as part of the site’s design.
Erica M. Pinto, chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village Tribal Council, said the development is designed to generate jobs, expand the tribe’s economic base and serve both the local community and regional travelers.
The tribe did not disclose the project’s budget. The development is expected to create more than 100 jobs, according to information provided by the tribe.
Construction is being handled by Dempsey Construction. The project represents the tribe’s first travel center or convenience store, marking a step toward diversifying revenue streams beyond gaming and hospitality, according to a spokesperson.
Barretts Travel Center is positioned to capture commuter and visitor traffic along the Highway 94 corridor while providing new services for local residents in the unincorporated community of Jamul. A timeline for completion and opening has not been announced.
The travel center project follows a series of recent investments by the Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation to expand its economic base. In late 2025, the tribal enterprise refinanced $425 million in debt tied to its gaming and resort operations, aligning its capital structure after opening a 16-story hotel tower that converted Jamul Casino into a full resort. The tribe has also expanded its land base through a 172-acre federal trust acquisition approved in 2024, creating additional capacity for future commercial and residential development.
