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.