Ohio officials keep Pixelle Chillicothe paper mill open through end of 2025
State officials held a press conference after learning about the upcoming closure of a longtime paper mill in Ohio, which has been paused until the end of 2025.
According to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, hundreds of employees were set to lose their jobs in June when the Pixelle Specialty Solutions closes a paper mill in Chillicothe.
On April 18, Sen. Bernie Moreno announced after conversations with the investment firm, H.I.G. Capital, the closure is on hold until the end of the year.
“I look forward to working with them to find a solution that guarantees the well-being of Ohio workers,” Moreno wrote on X.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said 826 employees were expected to lose their jobs as a result of the closure.
“The paper mill in Chillicothe has been in operation more than 100 years, providing good jobs for the community for generations,” he said. “We are going to ensure that the workers who are impacted are aware of all the benefits, resources and opportunities available to them in Ohio.”
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services director Matt Damschroder said they’re working to ensure employees have the benefits they need and are able to find new employment as quickly as possible.
“At the direction of Gov. DeWine, we are getting to work right away – helping employees understand how they can apply for employment once they are separated, as well as the variety of reemployment services options available to them,” Damschroder said.
Luke Feeney, the mayor of Chillicothe, described the paper mill employees as the “backbone of the city and a part of our heritage and history.”
Feeney said Chillicothe will continue to make job growth and opportunity a top priority moving forward.
“We will do everything we can to support displaced workers and attract new opportunities that build on the strength and skill of our local workforce,” he said.
