ROCK SPRINGS – From an abandoned building in downtown Rock Springs to an office building that will serve Sweetwater County residents, officials joined Governor Matt Mead in the final of three ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

The Sweetwater County Health and Human Services offices were developed to provide a better working situation for many county entities. Sweetwater County Commissioner Reid West said several groups have been working in mobile home units and cramped spaces for far too long.

“As the largest county in the state, we felt we could do better,” West said.

The new building is something West said the community could be proud of. He said those workers have went above and beyond service to the community and the commissioners owed it to them to provide a better situation.

A theme which ran through all three ribbon cutting ceremonies on Wednesday was how none of this could have been accomplished without industry and the money it brings into the state of Wyoming. West also spoke about this. He said pictures of local industrial facilities will hang in the large meeting room in honor of local industry and what they do for the community.

Also in the new building is artwork from Sweetwater County School District No. 1 students and West said they also have local artist’s work hanging in the new building.

Along with everyone who worked on the building, West especially thanked Sweetwater County Engineer Chuck Radosevich, County Grant Writer Krisena Marchal and the inmates who participate in the work release program at the Sweetwater County Jail. Radosevich was pulled off several of his duties to focus on the completion of the building. West said the inmates helped with the move to the new building.

Sweetwater County Commission Chairman Wally Johnson was next to discuss the building. He used words Governor Matt Mead has often used. Johnson said the governor often says there is always something going on in Sweetwater County and Wednesday was proof of this.

Along with industry and the state, Johnson gave a special thank you to the residents of Sweetwater County for supporting so many projects that help move Sweetwater County forward in a positive direction. He said residents recognize the importance of being from Sweetwater County and have a determination to make Sweetwater County the “gem” of the state. He said this is clearly shown by the communities willingness to tax themselves to upgrade the county.

Throughout his time as governor, Matt Mead has often stressed the importance of supporting towns, cities and counties and stressed this again on Wednesday. He explained to the group he has been to more ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies in Sweetwater County than any other county in the state. He said this is due to the hard work of everyone in Sweetwater County and their desire to move forward.

Like West, Mead said this building will not only bring a better working atmosphere for the tenants of the building but also to those who receive services in the new building. Again, Mead said none of this would be possible without the determination and work of everyone in the county.

“The whole state benefits from the hard work of Sweetwater County,” Mead said.

Rock Springs Mayor Carl Demshar said he is proud of the working relationship with the Sweetwater County Commissioners. He said this relationship and willingness to work together has resulted in great additions throughout the county. Demshar said this building will help be an anchor in the revitalization of downtown Rock Springs.