Pixelle Makes Official Update Announcement of Chillicothe Mill Closing Coming in August

Article Presented By Litter Quality Propane…

The word of the permanent closing of the Chillicothe paper mill became official Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 with a post on Pixelle’s Facebook page.

Here is the post that was made late Tuesday morning:

We want to share an important update about the future of the Chillicothe mill.

Pixelle has revised the WARN notice to clarify that the final day of mill operation is now expected to be August 10, 2025. This was not an easy decision. The company previously extended operations with the hope that collaborative efforts with state and local leaders would allow us to find a way to bridge through the year. Unfortunately, increasing staffing shortages and declining order volume have made it impossible for us to do so.

We understand how difficult this news is for our employees and their families. Pixelle continues to provide support through career transition services, job placement assistance, and other resources to help during this time.

We remain grateful to the Chillicothe team for their dedication and contributions.

Local government officials within the City of Chillicothe, Ross County, State of Ohio and federal office holders say they will continue their efforts to seek a company that might be interested in occupying the former site, but thus far those efforts have been unsuccesful.

Some employees have communicated to Litter Media that they have been offered a severance payment.

Chamber of Commerce Issues Statement on Latest Development for Chillicothe’s Paper Mill

The following statement can be attributed to Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce:

The Chamber understands the deep concern many feel regarding the August 10 closure of our community’s paper mill. We feel it, too, and recognize the impact this news has on our dedicated workforce and their families. We want to assure you that the Chamber and our partners have been working tirelessly to secure a positive path forward for our community and those affected by the situation.

For our impacted workers, we are committed to supporting you during this time through SciotoValleyForward.com and the accompanying Workforce Hub, located in the annex of the main library branch. Additionally, Jobs Ohio has identified 4,500 job openings within a 45-minute radius, and automation training and robotics will soon be available to help enhance our workforce for new opportunities.

While change can be challenging, we remain optimistic about the future of this vital site. Transferring the 460-acre property into local hands is essential, ensuring our community will guide its redevelopment for long-term prosperity. This is a significant step that will enable us to bring new life and opportunities to Chillicothe.

The Chamber will work alongside community leaders to establish a robust vetting process, ensuring that any new businesses brought to the site are long-term, sustainable partners committed to the well[1]being of our community. We grieve the loss of our legacy papermaking business but remain optimistic about the possibilities this next chapter holds for Chillicothe. We look forward to building a thriving future together.

Ross County Commissioners Respond to Updated Paper Mill Closure Date

CHILLICOTHE, OH – The Ross County Commissioners acknowledge the recent update to Pixelle Specialty Solutions’ WARN notice, which now reflects an official date of August 10, 2025.

Local government and stakeholders have engaged very closely with regional, state, and federal leadership, who have been in direct negotiation with H.I.G. and Pixelle, in an effort to prolong operations at this facility. Despite previous public statements by Pixelle, committing to continued operations through 2025, a new WARN notice has been revised and operations will continue only in a very limited capacity beyond the notice date.

This is a deeply emotional moment for our community. The Chillicothe paper mill has been a cornerstone of Ross County for generations, and while this update marks another difficult step in an ongoing process, it does not define our future.

As we prepare for the worst, we continue to plan for the best.

To support impacted workers, the Scioto Calley Forward Workforce Hub and website (sciotovalleyforward.com) is officially online, offering direct access to job search tools, retraining opportunities, and financial resources. These tools are designed to assist employees and their families through this difficult transition and connect them with immediate and long-term support.

At the same time, the Ross County Commissioners are actively working with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast, the Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development (GCRC), and other partners to aggressively market the site., engage new investors currently considering the site, and explore innovative redevelopment opportunities. These discussions are robust, forward-looking, and focused on ensuring a strong future for Ross County’s economy and workforce.

Our commitment remains: to support impacted workers, position the site for new life, and pursue every avenue to secure long-term vitality for our community through economic development and growth.

Ross County Board of Commissioners
Jack Everson, President
James Lowe, Vice President
David Glass