Shooting complex receives more than $1 million in fund commitments

POWELL (WNE) — The Wyoming State Shooting Complex has received commitments totaling more than $1 million in fundraising, a big milestone for a project relying on fundraising for a substantial part of the total funding. 

That represents double that amount in committed funds for the project, thanks to the Civilian Marksmanship Program 1-1 match. 

The joint powers board revealed that number during the September board meeting. 

Chair Glenn Ross said the fundraising committee and CEO Patrick Giles are negotiating on more contracts and donations to raise that total. 

The board is hoping to raise at least $6 million to fund the creation of the complex. 

Ross said it’s hoping to have between $1 million-$1.5 million in commitments by the end of September when the complex sends its first matching requests to CMP. 

One contract currently being negotiated is for Gunwerks to move its Long Range University to the complex. A draft plan before the board and company includes the building of a structure to be used as a classroom by Gunwerks at the precision long range shooting area next spring.

Board members approved granting authority to select members of the board to finalize the contract with Gunwerks once final concerns and issues are resolved.

Members also approved sending out requests for proposals for the facility at the long range site.

Gunwerks' two main asks as part of its pledge agreement is for the building to include a classroom and a firing line. 

The draft pledge agreement would also, if signed, name a spur of the road toward the long range area after the company, one of the most well known manufacturers of long range custom rifles. Gunwerks, which started in Burlington and more recently moved production to Cody, has been holding its Long Range University at its Burlington facility.

This story was published on Sept. 15, 2026. 

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