![County Council Chairman Genia Blackwell cuts the ribbon at the Merriwether Center](http://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SW-Comm-Cntr-Ribbon-Cuttings-161-300x225.jpg)
Ribbon cutting for the Merriwether Center on Sweetwater Rd. drew a crowd from the area that included officials: County Council members Chm. Blackwell, Ashcraft, Talbert and Campbell; Sweetwater Baptist minister Rev. Paul Noe who gave a prayer; Sen Massey, Rep. Hixon, Administrator Lynn Strom and her assistant Jennifer Gilley and Mayor Durham; Ambassador Cooper who gave the land and original building; Merriwether Fire Department members and other local residents including Linda Anderson who was given credit for giving much energy to the project.
![Ambassador Cooper points to the building; he and his family gave the building and grounds.](http://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Cooper-246x300.jpg)