Posted on 07/02/2019 1:20:31 PM PDT by PROCON
Weatherby ribbon-cutting cermony
When Weatherby Inc. opened its doors to their new headquarters in Sheridan, Wyoming on June 13, 2019, it ushered in a lot more than customers, employees and the media. The company welcomed something they havent felt in years freedom.
You see, when Weatherby packed up their people and gun-building business in Paso Robles, Calif., one thing they couldnt bring with them was Californias support for the 2nd Amendment. It doesnt exist. And, as Adam Weatherby discovered immediately, Wyoming doesnt simply tolerate the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution, they support it openly and passionately. Californias distain for Americans constitutional right to keep and bear arms wasnt the only reason Weatherby left. It was the biggest one though.
It had a significant impact, said Weatherby. The 2nd Amendment is very important to us and our customers. California was a different place when my grandfather started the business in 1945. Unfortunately, there had been too many restrictive laws passed in recent years at the state level to continue doing business there, and the writing on the wall is that it was only a matter of time before it would have been nearly impossible for us to operate in California.
Weatherby Inc. Flees California
So Weatherby left. Still, it wasnt an overnight decision.
It was several years in the making, said Adam Weatherby, but I first spoke with former Wyoming Governor Matt Mead the fall of 2016. Things really started to move fast from there and our first personnel moved in the summer of 2018. The move was complete in June of 2019 as we celebrated with a grand opening.
Why did Weatherby choose Wyoming? According to Weatherby, it was a combination of their incredible people, great tax and business climate, access to premium western big game hunting, a commitment to defending the 2nd amendment and an unparalleled incentive package. How much help did Wyoming give Weatherby? Enough. According to the State of Wyomings Business Council, Wyoming worked with the Sheridan Economic and Education Development Authority (SEEDA) Joint Powers board to develop a $12.6 million grant package to help facilitate Weatherbys relocation. It worked. Weatherby moved to Sheridan and brought more than 70 jobs and a projected $5 million in annual payroll over the first five years of operations in their new home.
Weatherby Finds Freedom in Wyoming
The cost of living for our employees is better, said Weatherby. Our access to outdoor hunting has improved. Selling firearms has become easier. We have nearly doubled our space because of the incentive packages the state offered which will allow for significant expansion and growth. Our power bill is cheaper, as is nearly everything else that it takes to operate a manufacturing facility. I dont have to do a background check when I buy ammunition. I can have more than 10 rounds in my pistol magazine. (And) I can own and shoot a semi-automatic rifle. To sum it all up, we feel free.
As motivated as Weatherby was to relocate to a place where the business and its employees could prosper, the family-owned company also knew it had to say goodbye to friends and employees near and dear to their hearts. We really enjoyed our hometown of Paso Robles and that area, said Weatherby. We had to leave behind over 50 people that were not able to come with us. Saying those goodbyes were perhaps the most difficult thing we had to do this past year.
What advice does Weatherby have for firearms companies which are still in California or other states which arent supporters of the 2nd Amendment? Every business needs to do what is best for themselves, said Weatherby. For us, it was relocating to Wyoming. It hasnt been easy, and it hasnt come without a cost. However, our brand will be better because of it. It already is!
The future of Weatherby looks bright in Sheridan. The company is refreshed, empowered, and engaged as if they have a new lease on life. Thats what freedom does to people, it gives them life.
To learn more about Weatherby Inc., visit them at weatherby.com
Love Wyoming. Love my Weatherby. Athena.
California is possibly the worst state in the Union now. Every thing they do any more is not compatible with the American way of life. What the hell is wrong with the people there?
I think we could get Colorado back, but it will take the local Republican party getting its act together, which it hasn’t for a lot of years. We need to fight the Democrats and not each other.
Agreed. We need leadership.
the mass media in the once-great state of Californication is almost totally communistic/extreme leftist...
i don’t mean simply in their opinion columns
it infests almost their entire “news” media
Of course, California will go after every penny. But his balance sheet went into the black the minute they crossed the state border.
I was just up in Cody. Nice. I like Wyoming.
“Colorado has gotten worse since then and continues to march us all of the cliff. Wyoming might be the last State standing in a few years before the collapse. “
Colorado has gotten intolerable. I told the wife I’d like to move to Cody.
” but it will take the local Republican party getting its act together”
They don’t even run anyone here in Longmont. The commies go door to door every election. It’s like the R’s are asleep at the wheel.
The move to Wyoming is doable for us. We just need to take care of some loose ends within the next year or so. Then we are outahere.
BTW, it is a common theme for a red state to be next door to a liberal state. People work in Illinois but live in Indiana, People work in Massachusetts and live in New Hampshire,...
It is the only way to survive when you can’t survive in a high tax and spend state.
Leaving CA now before it requires a rifle to get out.
Didn’t that happen some time ago?
This article discusses the complete move out of California.
How long will it be before California builds a Wall to keep people in !!
Glad for them, but sorry to see them go. I’ve been to their place many times for many reasons.
Colorado has been sucked down the California vortex at an alarming rate. Not too many years ago, the Bank of Boulder used to offer Weatherby rifles and shotguns in lieu of six years of earned interest - you just had to deposit around $2000 - $2500. Just think of the anti-gun ruckus that would cause in Boulder today.
I just cannot imagine ANY Weatherby employee not wanting to move to Wyoming!
Paso Robles is a nice town, but Kali-Fornia is a horrible state!
One HAS to wonder if 2020 will be a turning point for Kali-Fornia?
Good for them!
I don’t blame them for leaving, but I just wish the conservatives weren’t fleeing California.
Other than Hawaii- it is most beatiful State with the best weather. Why should we let liberals take over and destroy it (Like every other place where democrats are in charge)?
Then again it’s probably too far gone to be saved.
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The State has to die/implode before it can be reborn.
“Thats what freedom does to people, it gives them life.”
It will take them awhile to adjust to the culture shock of moving to the United States.
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