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 haven’t felt in years – freedom.
You see, when Weatherby packed up their people and gun-building business in Paso Robles, Calif., one thing they couldn’t bring with them was California’s support for the 2nd Amendment. It doesn’t exist. And, as Adam Weatherby discovered immediately, Wyoming doesn’t simply tolerate the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution, they support it openly and passionately. California’s distain for American’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 Wyoming’s 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 Weatherby’s 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 don’t 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 aren’t 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 hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t 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. That’s what freedom does to people, it gives them life.
To learn more about Weatherby Inc., visit them at weatherby.com
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Weatherby’s in my backyard! Sheridan WY loves them. Brought so many more new jobs—some high tech.
No state income tax in Wyoming.
I bet the old Weatherby catalogs from the early 70’s would give snowflakes instant vapor lock.
My dad had a Weatherby. It was a beautiful rifle.
My son moved his own company from Silicon Valley to Nevada for the same reason. His company is an eco friendly operation, but California really doesn’t care about this, it is just for show. What they really care about is to advance their anti-business culture. He took his guns with him when he moved.
And I love Sheridan
Wyoming or Idaho are states I will relocate to if my state of Washington gets any more Communist.
Ditto. Colorado is lost to the loons.
Well, and not just business reasons, but tyrant scum don’t DESERVE to get tax revenue from businesses they demonize. They shouldn’t even want it, if they’re honest.
Better get out now, before they decide you owe them taxes for having the temerity to escape.
Kentucky would be nearly as good for a company like Weatherby. Our only drawback is a state income tax; however, we also have lots of gun lovers and plenty of good places for hunting. And a few years ago (2013?), Kentucky led the nation in guns owned per capita. If they want to open a facility in the eastern US, I recommend it go here.
Wyoming and Idaho. Buy it, carry it and practice. Welcome to freedom. We know a thing or two cause we own a thing or two. Redstates rule leave the left enter the conservative. Trump country.
Magpul, a magazine maker, moved out of Colorado to Wyoming and Texas after Hickenlooper signed a stupid anti-gun bill a few years ago.
Born in KY, raised in MO, now live in ID, if I had to move, it would be TX or OK. Life took me this way. I could live happy in any of them. Just saying.
Good business decision by the Weatherby company. Get out while you can.
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.
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.
Sad.
Anyway, this company is in a much better place for business (Cali is completely hostile).
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