Hundreds Attend Rally To Save Pixelle Paper Mill in Chillicothe
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Local, state, and federal office holders rallied with community members Friday to show support for keeping Pixelle Specialty Solutions Chillicothe paper mill open, following word earlier in the week from the company that the plant would close later this year. 826 people are employed at the Chillicothe mill.
Senator Moreno sent a letter to H.I.G. Capital on Thursday, an investment firm that bought the mill in 2022, calling the decision to close the mill “corporate greed.” Moreno said the owners called him Friday morning to say they are pausing the mill’s closure until the end of the year.
“We’re going to find a company that’s willing to come to Chillicothe to invest in people first, invest in the people who bust their you-know-what over there. I am confident that this mill will not only survive next year but for the next 200 years in this community.”
He echoed his statement with reporters following the rally. “It’s going to be a long road, by the way. So, this is not over. It just gives us time to come in and develop a plan where you have either them (HIG Capital) or somebody else that’s going to invest in the people here… investing capital and produce a company that can thrive for the next 200 years.“
Jeff Allen, president of United Steelworkers Local 731, the union representing employees at the Chillicothe mill was grateful for the news of the plant getting a reprieve. “This means the world to everyone who works over there. It is amazing. When Allen was asked about the reprieve on the closing, he responded with “The emotions were so high. I’m not going to lie, I had tears coming down my eyes. This is the only thing I have ever know- 37 years. To get a reprieve, to get a chance, it was huge.”
Governor DeWine said he was upset that no one was given much of a notice. “What Bernie’s been able to achieve today with those calls is to give us the opportunity. We have hope. We want to be honest with you — we don’t know where this goes now.”
Officials say if Pixelle won’t run the plant, an effort needs to be made to find a buyer to take over the plant and keep it open
U.S. Senator’s Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted were joined by Congressman David Taylor, Governor Mike DeWine, Attorney General Dave Yost, along with Mayor Luke Feeney, Ross County Commissioner James Oody Lowe, State Representative Mark Johnson, and State Senator Shane Wilkin.
The following statement can be attributed to Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce:
“The news echoing through Chillicothe today, Friday, April 18th, is more than just ink on paper – it is a lifeline. The chance to preserve the Pixelle paper mill signifies safeguarding livelihoods, bolstering our community’s spirit, and serving as a powerful testament to the enduring importance of industry in our town. This represents a short-term victory for Chillicothe’s past, present, and future.”
“We’ve been given more time, but time is only as good as how we spend it. It’s essential to take a moment this weekend to celebrate the holiday with family. However, on Monday, we will need to begin the hard work required to make the future as bright as the past has been.”
“Thank you very much to the team of federal, state, and local legislators and leaders who presented us with this opportunity for a new future. We owe it to you to put in hard work, determination, and effort to ensure it pays off. The Chamber fully commits to its role in the task ahead. We are still Mill City. Let’s keep it that way.”
