New Infrastructure Projects

SYCUAN INDIAN RESERVATION (October 20, 2025) – In a continuing effort to provide Sycuan Tribal members, team members, and the visiting public access to safe, efficient, and reliable utilities, the tribe has announced the commencement of significant capital improvement projects on its reservation. These projects will provide access to state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facilities and promote tribal energy sovereignty through a modern combined heat and power plant (CHP).

A utility corridor and wastewater treatment plant commenced construction in late September following environmental review in accordance with applicable tribal and federal regulations. The corridor will connect the Singing Hills resort with the original tribal reservation, and will ultimately contain conduit and pipes for the conveyance of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, electrical, broadband and high-speed fiber optic throughout the entire Sycuan reservation.

The new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed towards the west end of the corridor to replace end-of-life facilities located on the original reservation. This new system will promote efficient and sustainable use of groundwater and wastewater resources. Both the corridor and plant are expected to be operational in late 2027. The estimated cost of both is roughly $101 million.

The CHP project will break ground in late October and is estimated to begin operations in fall 2026. This project will allow the tribe to substantially lower energy costs through SDGE while still maintaining a backup connection. A key feature will be the use of reclaimed water for CHP cooling, further reducing reliance on groundwater resources. The estimated construction cost of the CHP is $70 million.

These projects commence as the tribe nears completion in December of its modern, efficient, and expanded Sycuan Health Center (SHC) with full medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services. This 26k square foot facility will replace the tribe’s original 8k square foot medical clinic constructed in the early 1980’s. Similar to the original clinic, the SHC will be available to tribal members, team members, and their families, and the general public, accepting nearly all forms of insurance plans. The estimated construction cost is $25 million.

Combined, these projects are expected to cost over $196 million, resulting in a significant boost to local construction industry jobs through primary contracts with Dempsey Construction, Cass Arietta, Colusa Indian Energy, Pacific Hydrotech, Kimley Horn Engineering, Dexter Wilson Engineering, and Hunsaker and Associates.

The tribe also plans to double the size of its highly successful Sycuan Market gas station within the next two years, resulting in increased access to low-priced fuel and convenience store amenities for the public.