Ross Commissioners Commit To Action For Paper Mill Future

Article Presented By Tomlinson Insurance…

(Chillicothe) – The Ross County Commissioners have issued a statement and plan of action detailing their active support and efforts to keep the local paper mill open for business.

Here is their press release:

In the wake of the recent announcement regarding the closure of the Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill, the Ross County Commissioners, together with their partners, have been swift to take action in support of efforts to attract a new investor and mitigate impacts to workforce and the local economy. As work continues in the coming months, Ross County will continue to deliver a swift and collaborative approach to address today’s challenges.

Formation of Weekly Action Response Team

A Weekly Action Response Team has been formed by the Ross County Board of Commissioners, bringing together key local stakeholders including GCRC Development, the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce, and The Montrose Group, LLC. This team is also working in close collaboration with cross-jurisdictional partners including the City of Chillicothe, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno, OhioSE, JobsOhio, and other congressional offices.

The Action Response Team meets weekly to report weekly progress and coordinate efforts across a multi-faceted working action plan, addressing action categories which include:

• Site/Investor Attraction &Marketing
• Local Economic & Government Resiliency
• Employee Resources
• Corporate Negotiations – Local Monitoring & Advocacy
• Local Stakeholder Partnership

Immediate Response Actions Underway Several critical actions have already been initiated:

• An active and aggressive partnership between JobsOhio and GCRC Development is profiling the plant’s strategic advantages ot market the site and attract new private investment. JobsOhio has begun coordinating meetings and on-site visits with potential investors as part of this ongoing effort.
• An economic impact analysis is being conducted to accurately quantify the closure’s regional impact and to rally state and federal resources for an appropriate, data-driven response.
• Ongoing dialogue with U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno in partnership with other elected representatives & stakeholders to maintain direct negotiations with H.I.G. Capital, the current plant owner, and to advocate for the site’s continued productive use. Local government and stakeholders remain aggressive in advocating that negotiations are maintained with accountability & committed partnership, while driving effort toward defined local actions such as marketing the site to future investors. Local government is monitoring concerns that H.I.G. Capital’s actions have not aligned with public statements which have indicated intentions to pause the plant’s closure; those concerns will continue to be communicated to federal & state partners leading negotiations.
• Work is underway to develop a comprehensive approach to support potential new investors, including the deployment of collaborative local and state government tools to ensure long-term viability and community benefit.

Commitment to Continued Transparency and Resilience

Ross County’s local leadership is fully committed to a sustained and aggressive effort to address the consequences of the plant closure, and to shape a stronger economic landscape that includes attracting investment for today as well as future generations. Despite the evolving and sometimes sensitive nature of negotiations and planning, the Commissioners pledge to keep the public informed as often as possible.

“While the paper mill closure is a significant blow to our region, we are not standing still. We are united in our response, focused in our strategy, and unwavering in our support for the workers, families, and businesses who are affected,” said the Ross County Commissioners. “With strong partnerships from the local level al the way to Washington, we are fighting every day to turn this challenge into a catalyst for renewal and reinvestment.”

Looking Ahead

As the situation continues to evolve, Ross County remains committed to:

• Advocating for employees and families
• Promoting new investment and industry opportunities • Leveraging local, state, and federal partnerships
• Maintaining open lines of communication with all stakeholders

For more updates and resources, please contact the Commissioners’ Office at (740) 702-3085. Future updates will also be provided by this office.