Civilian Marksmanship Program Announces $10 Million Challenge Grant for Wyoming State Shooting Complex
April 30, 2026
ANNISTON, Ala. — The Board of Directors of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is pleased to announce the approval of a $10 million challenge grant dedicated to the development of the new Wyoming State Shooting Complex (WSSC) in Cody, Wy. This significant investment marks a major milestone in the CMP’s strategic “Western Expansion,” establishing a permanent footprint to serve marksmanship enthusiasts west of the Mississippi River.
The $10 million grant is structured as a matching initiative available for three years. Under the terms of the agreement, the CMP will match new private and industry donations secured by WSSC dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 million.
“Cody, Wyoming, is a great choice for Western expansion,” CMP Board Member and Wyoming resident Ed Newell noted following a site visit. “The Wyoming State Shooting Complex” offers a unique opportunity for a high-impact partnership consistent with CMP’s mission to promote youth programs, marksmanship and firearms safety.
CMP Chief Operating Officer, Fabian Lobera, and CMP Board Member, Ed Newell, attended the WSSC Groundbreaking Ceremony and displayed a poster with details on the CMP, our history and mission and vision statements.
A Premier Destination for Marksmanship, the WSSC is currently under development on 2,000 acres of state-contributed land located just seven miles south of downtown Cody. Positioned as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the complex aims to become the nation’s premier shooting sports destination, featuring purpose-built venues for elite competitors, recreational shooters, and youth programs.
Beyond the financial contribution, the partnership includes several key collaborative elements:
- CMP Retail Presence: There’s a plan for the WSSC clubhouse to feature a CMP Store which would provide visitors with access to historic American firearms.
- Museum Synergy: The complex’s proximity to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses over 7,000 firearms, will create a unique “view it, learn it, then buy it” experience for the more than one million tourists who visit the area annually.
- Expert Range Design: The CMP will provide technical input on range design to ensure the facility can host the organization’s signature matches and national-level competitions.
The WSSC project has earned full support from the Wyoming Legislature and Governor, and it is governed by a Joint Powers Board representing city and county leadership. Construction is already underway, with core infrastructure and internal roads currently being established.
About the Civilian Marksmanship Program: The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to instruction in firearms safety and marksmanship training. While serving all U.S. citizens, the CMP places its highest priority on youth programs that encourage personal growth and build life skills through competitive shooting sports.
About the Wyoming State Shooting Complex: The WSSC is a visionary project designed to be a world-class destination for shooting sports. Its mission is to inspire youth participation, promote responsible firearm use, and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and outdoor recreation in the State of Wyoming and our nation.
Media Contact: Christine Elder, CMP Communications Manager, [email protected]
This is great news for us living out West and Southwest! Thanks CMP! Rich
The winds will make this a challenging place to shoot. The high altitude and low average density altitudes will make 1000 yard service rifle more practical for me. My club is 300ft above sea level so it takes spicy loads to keep velocity up for reliabile electronic scoring.
It would be nice to include a link for donations to support this new range.
G B,
We just received the link for donations – it is https://shootwyoming.com/donate/. I’ll go ahead and add it to the top of this article.
Thanks,
Christine
From my home here in southwest Missouri the Alabama CMP is to far to drive without significant planning and lodging expenses. Wyoming is also over 18 hours away and requires the same expense. We, here in the Ozark region of Missouri, need a facility somewhere in the middle. Missouri would be a great and very supportive state to consider next time.
I have been shooting High Power for more years than I can remember and I still hope to get down to the Alabama facility some day. Thanks for all you do for the sport.
John,
We’re very excited about this partnership with the Wyoming State Shooting Complex. CMP is also pursuing additional partnerships that will expand our presence at shooting ranges nationwide and further support our mission to promote marksmanship.
I hope you do get a chance to travel down to Talladega – it is such a beautiful range!
Thanks,
Christine
nice! Looking forward to your grand opening next year.
Barbara,
It will be “GARAND”!! Counting down the days!
Christine
This is wonderful news. A big thank you to Wyoming and the CMP. Looking forward to seeing this fine complex and competing in many shooting events. Steward
I love the idea of bringing a great shooting facility to Wyoming, but for many, like me, it is a shorter trip to go to the TMP than to Cody, Wyoming. Maybe we will get something like this in the Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Northern Texas area so that we can enjoy a shooting park without the long drives.