CHEYENNE — A Wyoming Senate committee has thrown its support behind an effort to bring the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s headquarters and related facilities to Wyoming.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 4-1 in favor of Senate File 124, “Economic development-rodeo museum,” which would allocate $15 million for the Wyoming Office of Tourism to be used “for and attracting a rodeo and cowboy museum and hall of fame to Wyoming.”

“This is a bill that is co-sponsored by nearly the entire Senate,” Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, said Tuesday, adding that the relocation is an “incredible opportunity” that would “raise the specter of Wyoming as the Cowboy State.”

In January, the PRCA board of directors approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding to seriously consider relocating the organization’s headquarters, along with the PRCA’s Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy, from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, according to a news release.

“This is a strategic decision that positions the PRCA for the future,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said in the release. “Wyoming lives and breathes rodeo, and Cheyenne offers authenticity, visibility and alignment with our sport’s values. The opportunity to build a purpose-driven campus that celebrates rodeo’s history while supporting its growth is incredibly exciting.”

The proposed site for the PRCA’s new 35-acre campus is near the intersection of Interstate 25 and Interstate 80.

Seth Ulvestad, policy adviser for Gov. Mark Gordon’s Office, said Tuesday that there’s no better home for the PRCA than Wyoming.

“This is a unique opportunity to expand our Western traditions, and create additional opportunities for our young people to turn their passions into in-state careers,” Ulvestad said.

Distributing $15 million in tourism funds in the timeline outlined in SF 124 is an appropriate use of the Wyoming tourism reserve and projects account, he said.

“This project will be an incredible investment into the future of tourism in Wyoming,” Ulvestad said.

Highlights of an economic and planning analysis on the impacts of a PRCA move to Laramie County, and on the state as a whole, according to Driskill, include a total economic impact of $252.6 million, with creation of a total of 140 net new jobs, including indirect and induced spending.

Annual additional property tax and sales tax revenues to Laramie County would be $309,355 in year one, and $879,120 by year 10. An anticipated $12 million economic impact resulting from Hall of Fame visitations is also projected by year 10.

Partners on the project include the PRCA, which will contribute “several million,” according to Ulvestad, as well as Cheyenne LEADS, which will contribute an additional $15 million. There are also opportunities for corporate sponsorships and sixth-penny sales tax ballot initiatives.

“This opportunity to bring the PRCA headquarters to Wyoming is once in a lifetime,” he said. “The economic impact through tourism and local job growth will show a great return on investment. The governor supports this project and supports this bill as written.”

Only Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, voted against SF 124, which will return to the Senate for debate in committee of the whole.